THE LEGEND OF THE REEDS.

hat are the river reeds whispering, In music so sweet and low? Ah, these are the words they murmur, "My tale would you like to know?" "O reeds by the shining water, I'll listen all day, all day, If you will tell me your story Whilst the river rolls away." Spake the reed—"I'm a maid named Syrinx, And there once lived a god named Pan; He liked me, but I didn't like him, So away to the woods I ran. "I ran very swiftly, but swifter The rough god Pan did pursue, Then I cried to the gods, on Olympus, 'There are none to help me but you!' "I came to a shining river, And thirsty I stooped to drink, And the kindly gods changed me into A reed on the river's brink. "Then Pan grew quite melancholy, And gathered the reeds, and made A pipe; and he thought of me ever When he on his pan-pipe played."