The Brownies: Their Book Part 4

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The boxing-gloves that please the heart Of him who loves the manly art, All brought expressions of delight, As one by one they came in sight.

The time was short, and words were few That named the work for each to do.

Their mystic art, as may be found On pages now in volumes bound, Was quite enough to bear them in Through walls of wood and roofs of tin.

No hasp can hold, no bolt can stand Before the Brownie's tiny hand; The sash will rise, the panel yield, And leave him master of the field.-- When safe they stood within the hall, A pleasant time was promised all.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Said one: "The clubs let me obtain That Indians use upon the plain, And here I'll stand to test my power, And swing them 'round my head an hour; Though not the largest in the band, I claim to own no infant hand; And muscle in this arm you'll meet That well might grace a trained athlete.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Two goats once blocked a mountain pa.s.s Contending o'er a tuft of gra.s.s.

Important messages of state Forbade me there to stand and wait; Without a pause, the pair I neared And seized the larger by the beard; I dragged him from his panting foe And hurled him to the plain below."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"For clubs," a second answered there, "Or heavy weights I little care; Let those by generous nature planned At heavy lifting try their hand; But give me bar or give me ring, Where I can turn, contort, and swing, And I'll outdo, with movements fine, The monkey on his tropic vine."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Thus skill and strength and wind they tried By means they found on every side.

Some claimed at once the high trapeze, And there performed with grace and ease; They turned and tumbled left and right, As though they held existence light.

At times a finger-tip was all Between them and a fearful fall.

On strength of toes they now depend, Or now on coat-tails of a friend-- And had that cloth been less than best That looms could furnish, east or west, Some members of the Brownie race Might now be missing from their place

[Ill.u.s.tration]

But fear, we know, scarce ever finds A home within their active minds.

And little danger they could see In what would trouble you or me.

Some stood to prove their muscle strong, And swung the clubs both large and long That men who met to practice there Had often found no light affair.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

A rope they found as 'round they ran, And then a "tug-of-war" began; First over benches, stools, and chairs, Then up and down the winding stairs, They pulled and hauled and tugged around, Now giving up, now gaining ground, Some lost their footing at the go, And on their backs slid to and fro Without a chance their state to mend Until the contest found an end.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Their coats from tail to collar rent Showed some through trying treatment went, And more, with usage much the same, All twisted out of shape, and lame, Had scarce a b.u.t.ton to their name.

The judge selected for the case Ran here and there about the place With warning cries and gesture wide And seemed unable to decide.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

And there they might be tugging still, With equal strength and equal will-- But while they struggled, stars withdrew And hints of morning broader grew, Till arrows from the rising sun Soon made them drop the rope and run.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Brownie.]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE BROWNIES' FEAST.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

IN best of spirits, blithe and free,-- As Brownies always seem to be,-- A jovial band, with hop and leap, Were pa.s.sing through a forest deep, When in an open s.p.a.ce they spied A heavy caldron, large and wide, Where woodmen, working at their trade, A rustic boiling-place had made.

"My friends," said one, "a chance like this No cunning Brownie band should miss, All un.o.bserved, we may prepare And boil a pudding nicely there;

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Some dying embers smolder still Which we may soon revive at will; And by the roots of yonder tree A brook goes babbling to the sea.

At Parker's mill, some miles below, They're grinding flour as white as snow An easy task for us to bear Enough to serve our need from there: I noticed, as I pa.s.sed to-night, A window with a broken light, And through the opening we'll pour Though bolts and bars be on the door."

"And I," another Brownie cried, "Will find the plums and currants dried; I'll have some here in half an hour To sprinkle thickly through the flour; So stir yourselves, and bear in mind That some must spice and sugar find."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"I know," cried one, "where hens have made Their nest beneath the burdock shade-- I saw them stealing out with care To lay their eggs in secret there.

The farmer's wife, through sun and rain, Has sought to find that nest in vain: They cackle by the wall of stones, The hollow stump and pile of bones, And by the ditch that lies below, Where yellow weeds and nettles grow; And draw her after everywhere Until she quits them in despair.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The task be mine to thither lead A band of comrades now with speed, To help me bear a tender load Along the rough and rugged road."

Away, away, on every side, At once the lively Brownies glide; Some after plums, more 'round the hill-- The shortest way to reach the mill-- While some on wings and some on legs Go darting off to find the eggs.

A few remained upon the spot To build a fire beneath the pot; Some gathered bark from trunks of trees, While others, on their hands and knees, Around the embers puffed and blew Until the sparks to blazes grew; And scarcely was the kindling burned Before the absent ones returned.

All loaded down they came, in groups, In couples, singly, and in troops.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Upon their shoulders, heads, and backs They bore along the floury sacks; With plums and currants others came, Each bag and basket filled the same;

[Ill.u.s.tration]

While those who gave the hens a call Had taken nest-egg, nest, and all; And more, a pressing want to meet, From some one's line had hauled a sheet, The monstrous pudding to infold While in the boiling pot it rolled.

The rogues were flour from head to feet Before the mixture was complete.

Like snow-birds in a drift of snow They worked and elbowed in the dough, Till every particle they brought Was in the ma.s.s before them wrought.

And soon the sheet around the pile Was wrapped in most artistic style.

Then every plan and scheme was tried To hoist it o'er the caldron's side.

At times, it seemed about to fall, And overwhelm or bury all; Yet none forsook their post through fear, But harder worked with danger near.

They pulled and hauled and orders gave, And pushed and pried with stick and stave,

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]