Full text of "The brownies around the world"

See other formats

i+iE

■m, c* fo jH

^*;

ROUND

■■ .

00022094975

h» l^> rtfT^T ^^ yf^

-//„• Mlownia>. ftiave, /•',/ „;■></ a„,/ /,'.,_.*.

c/„

TKccku.SLe.% oo. G-ue. KIXE^ucLl kPqM

T1-LXL4 n_oeL. cu-Ld_ Luu ili~Uv Lc_ i_rx. LH_ff_ o-nc^sS
To <g>.i i d.g. u-kzjL crcucJ<G.C-9-i>L4< Q-i_a_lZ f-uc^s5, ,

TKa. sc»S-C -czj_^<lcL_ <^oJ3JLsl. KorruuJaxcL^O .

Pq_ttLcj~»-os , i"H_g-i ui i~aoL scu-l^, •>-« i sCL* r\ e !»-* i (
T^~«-a. t:ora I?. s Lexers n-o «-»J sKjtul 9-v:om- Q-l<L sk_u '•

m Cls Lil-cccL 09- [Jn if a_s, L^oul-- Q-oa_ «-| S-0-1-1- J
"l5-.cu-L.Lj sK-oloJ-cL, Is-aJLcxl^jdL -ccau-r-x. (
TKjz. o CKiUd sLcurrs uj LUL «& uuUsLcl. K_i_n-v. K^a rrx.«_ !

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2012 with funding from

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

http://www.archive.org/details/browniesaroundwoOOcoxp

THE BROWNIES

AROUND THE WORLD

BY
PALMER COX

\vt&>±?y*£ WHWB

PUBLISHED BY
THE CENTURY CO.

NEW YORK

CONTENTS.

Brownies in Canada

Brownies Cross the Atlantic

X~r Brownies in Ireland

Brownies in Scotland

Brownies in England

Bkownies in France

Brownies in Spain

Brownies in Italy

Brownies in Turkey

Brownies in Egypt

Brownies in Araeia

Brownies in Germany

104

Brownies in Switzerland

lKi

Brownies ix Eolland

Brownies in Russia

Brownies in China

120

Brownies in Japan

Brownies in the Polar Regions

131

135

OTHHR BOOKS BY PALMER COX :
PUBLISHED BY THE CENTURY CO.

THE BROWNIES:
THEIR BOOK

Quarto, i so pages. Price, in boards, jji.so.

ANOTHER
BROWNIE BOOK

Qyarto, 1 so pages. Price, in boards, JJi-SO.

THE BROWNIES
AT HOME

Quarto, 1 so pages. Price, in boards, §i.so.

THE BROWNIES
THROUGH THE UNION

Quarto, iso pages. Price, in boards, $i.so.

E BROWNIES IN CANADA

Ferst Stage.

HEN signs that mark the closing year
Began to hint of winter near,
In leafless trees, in ice-rimmed pond,
And on the mountain peaks beyond,
The Brownies gathered, one and all,
In answer to a general call.

All representatives of note

From countries near and lands remote,

Assembled fast at close of day.

To lay their plans and have their say.

No less a scheme they had in mind

Than now, before their powers declined.

While still they had the strength to run.

The hearts to dare, and taste for fun.

To visit all the nations wide,

Around the world on every side.

THE BROWNIES IN CANADA.

Said one: "My comrades tried and true,
No picnic trip we have in view,
For many a hardship must be met,
And many a foot in danger set
Ere we can reach the native land
Of every member in the band ;
Strange accidents will cross our way
Of which we little dream to-day;
Strange modes of travel must be found
Ere we can circle earth around.
With fortitude yourselves equip
To serve you through the trying trip,
From States that stretch from sea to sea,
The watchful wards of liberty,
Through zones that gave to Franklin brave
And bold De Long an icy grave,
And tried the nerve of Melville true
While rescuing the famished crew,
Through lands enriched by Pharaoh's dust,
And cities baked in lava crust,
To where that flowery realm extends
On which the world for tea depends."
At mention of these far-off climes,
Where they could have such wondrous times,
The Brownies smiled, and all the band
Were ready now to lift a hand
And vote that they, with willing hearts,
Would make the trip to foreign parts ;
And should misfortunes sad and sore
Assail them on some distant shore,

THE BHOWNIEH IN CANADA.

No blame would be attached to those
Who did the daring scheme propose.
That night, before the moon grew pal
And hid behind a western veil,
Or stai's a sign of falling showed,
The daring Brownies took the road.

With cunning minds the travelers planned
To keep along the northern strand,
Until they skirted Baffin's Bay,
And Labrador behind them lay;
Then trust a raft and favoring breeze
To take them o'er dividing seas,
Till on some point of Europe east,
The hand would find themselves at last
An easy task it seams, no doubt,
To mark a course tor others out,
And every one will understand
Who ventures out by sea or land,
That such a trip would have at best
Some trials that would courage test.
It seemed to argue want of sense,
But in the Brownie hand's defense

THE BROWNIES IN CANADA.

Let me remark, the Brownie kind
Are not to human powers confined,
For mystic arts with mortal blend,
Insuring triumph in the end.

Deep rivers that before them ran,
Were bridged at once with single span,
Tall saplings bent from top to root
Were fastened in some way to suit,

Till', BROWNIEH IN CAN IDA.

Till one by one, in single file,
>-X j& They crossed the stream in Brownie style.

Sometimes a city stretched before,
Willi all its bustle,

jam and roar ;

•-•-.■. - . k. Pi'rl ',:A>- - ■ ■ 6 tr. " - *- '.'■

Its busy mills,
its rushing

trains.

%m i

-■

Its blazing squares and. darksome lanes;
Then Brownies needs must circle round
And dodge about for safer ground.
To thriving towns they hurried all,
And visited each church and hall,
And passed opinions freely still
On what they saw, as Brownies will;
Then London. Gait, and Kingston old.
In turn received the Brownies bold.

THE BROWNIES IN CANADA.

Ttfrouj;!. fife but feu
Without some touch.

of luce ,

To Ottawa went all the band

To view each edifice so grand,

To Hamilton, to Cloderich, too,

That overlooks Lake Huron blue.

The Brownies took a hasty run

For observation and for fun.

Through streets that are Toronto's pride

They hurried on with hasty stride,

Viewed hanks, and buildings made to hold

The money which is good as gold.

Looked through each handsome court and square,

And market-place with special care.

My pen has not the space to praise

Each charming sight that drew their gaze

As on they hastened through the land

Enjoying scenes on every hand.

Once while they halted to survey

A steep and grass-grown mound of clay,

Said one, " This marks an old redoubt

Where once the British kept lookout,

When Uncle Sam and Johnny Bull

Had their last interesting pull,

Or tug of war, as records show,

Now over eighty years ago."

The Thousand Islands may be named

As something that attention claimed,

The broad St. Lawrence got its share

Of praise and observation there.

Said one, "This river rolling free,

Between the chain of lakes and sea,

THE BROWNIES IN CANADA.

Has not an equal far or near,

For water sparkling bright and clear.

It thrills the heart and charms the sight,

Tims dancing on, as in delight,

To pom* its fresh and crystal flow

Into the ocean far below.

No wonder Indians strewed, like stones,
Along its banks the settlers1 bones.
Before they 'd leave a scene so fair
And turn to seek a home elsewhere.
The arm indeed might well be strong,
The hatchet heavy, arrow long,
And scalping-knife be ever keen
Defending such a lovely scene.

THE BROWNIES IN CANADA.

I think it will not be amiss

Now while beside a flood like this,

That we may not again come near

On pleasure bound for many a year,

For us to take a boat or two

And down the stream our way pursue."

Another said, " We can command

A naphtha launch that 's near at hand.

'T will just about contain the crowd,

Yet every one have space allowed."

Cried one, " That suits us to a T !

At engineering trust to me,

I 've had some practice at the art

And well can undertake the part."

Another said, " I '11 steer her straight

Between the rocks or islands great,

While all on board can take their rest

Nor be with creeping fears oppressed."

It was not long until the boat

Set out with every one afloat.

Some chanced a little skiff to find,

And this was soon attached behind,

And those were lucky, so they thought,

Who in that way a passage sought.

They sailed along with joke and smile,

And much enjoyed every mile,

Until some foaming crests appeared

That told of rapids that they neared.

The current was by far too strong

And wild for them to right the wrong.

THE BROWNIES IN CAN \l>.\.

Their hope lay nol in turning back,
Bui now 1" keep the safesl track.
The helmsman stood well to his tasl
Nor had he need for help to ask.
A dozen members of the crew
Were quirk to tell him what to do.

^v v\

Now round the islands, left and right
He steered the craft with wondrous might,
Now grazing banks, now scraping stones.
While rose the cries, the shrieks and groans

THE BROWNIES IN CANADA.

Of frightened Brownies, who were thrown
Into the greatest panic known.
At length there came a fearful shock —
The launch had centered on a rock,
In spite of all the sage commands,
And left a wreck upon their hands.
Just then, to much increase then* woe,
The boiler made a stir below,

As far too often is the case

When some mishap has taken place.

'T was well the boiler had its bed
Located aft where things could spread
Without destroying all the host
That to the bows had crowded most.
Those who were sitting on the rail
Went upward like a flock of quail,
While those aboard the skiff had soon
Then bearing changed to strike the moon,
And quickly learned that lunar ride
Had much then trouble magnified.
A watery grave had been the lot
Of half the band if they had not
Been blessed with supernatural power
That stood them well in hand that hour.

Some had to swim, and some to dive,
More held to planks to keep alive,
For swift the river swept along
Upon its course with action strong.

THE BROWNIES IX (AXADA.

ilsa^e draws on apace
Still l;eaver)u>ard lift jyourfnce

I [owever bad I he rip or break

The Brownies don'1 their ship forsake,

Till they've exhausted all the means

Known both to landsmen and marines,

That they may have within their reach

To bring her safely to the beach.

The Brownies gained the wreck at last

That still was sticking hard and fast.

Then in the quickest way they could

They patched it up with hits of wood,

With caps and jackets calked the seams

And spliced the shattered ribs and beams,

Then, launching it adrift once more,

They worked it to the nearest shore.

Thus on they traveled mile by mile,

With many jokes and laughs the while.

A river widened to a bay

At times occasioned some dismay,

And seemed to bring to sudden end

The trip they gladly would extend,

Till one was quick to raise the cry

"We 're all right yet, some boats I spy

Here lying on the weedy shore.

Let some take rudder, some take oar,

And soon we '11 travel where we please

In spite of current, tide, or breeze ! "

At once they rushed a seat to find,

For no one wished to stay behind.

And while they rowed the boats along

The hand united in a song:
11

THE BBOWNIES IN CANADA.

"A happy Brownie band are we,

Prepared for daring deeds,

We ramble boldly, far and free,

Wberever fancy leads.

For us the forest spreads its leaves

And throws a shade below,

For us its screen the ivy weaves,

And ferns and mosses grow.

The children strain

Their eyes in vain
To see a Brownie sprite,

For those that find

The Brownie kind
Must have a second sight.

" For us the plantain-leaves are wide

Enough to cover two,

For ns the stars at eventide

Trim all their lamps anew.

And quickly we can slip away

When they forsake the sky,

Or keen, observing children stray

Around with prying eye.

We hide from all,

Both large and small,
By day as well as night.

Ah ! none can see

A Brownie wee
Who has not second sight.'"

I'll I : BROWNIES IN' CANADA.

Still hastening on, with ardor keen,
They ran i he rapids of Lachine
In boats thai threatened hard al time
To brine an end to ;ill tnv rhymes

- :Pm

S fiilM/i

1 i

-mm'

*f«I Cox<

"X^

' 'IP

By giving up the Brownie band
To the St. Lawrence River grand ;
To roll them on witli crazy flow
Into the ocean far below.

At Montreal they paused awhile
To note its size and ancient style,
And from Mount Royal to survey
The leveled land that round them lay
Then ran to see the shaft of stone
That in a central place is shown
Surmounted by the gallant tar
Who won and died at Trafalgar,

THE BROWNIES IN CANADA.

Then, walking on the roof or ridge,
They crossed the long Victoria Bridge
From end to end, not trusting to
The road inside, for well they knew
The trains that thundered to and fro
Were every hour on the go.
To Granby next they quickly ran,
The birthplace of the Brownie man.
By tiny streams they sat and smiled,
in which he angled when a child,
On Shefford Mountain stood to gaze
Where oft he climbed in youthful days.
Thus went the band

the country through
Enjoying all that

met then* view.
Those who can only

show a nose
Abroad at night,

you may suppose,
Have watchful times

in keeping clear
Of dangers that

with light appear.
But still the

Brownies worked
their way
At night alone,

while through
the day

Till'. BKOWNIKS IN (ANAPA.

They kepi some place

t liiil served them well
Until the shades

of evening fell.
At Length (L>ucl>rc

appeared in sight, >>T-;
Perched high upon ''^ffih* g£^ \IU

flic rocky height.
With cannon pointing

down below,
In many a scrim

&&(?

jdBE^ayiL

To guard the river deep and wide
That stretched away to ocean tide.
Through narrow streets the Brownies bound
That in the lower town are found.
And then with nimble feet they fly
To reach the upper town so high.

THE BROWNIES IN CANADA.

J:;v;

Said one, who paused to look around :
"My friends, we tread historic ground;
'T was up this path, so rough and steep,
The British did at midnight creep,
With guns unloaded in then' hands,
Obedient to the strict commands,
For fear an accidental shot
Might bring the Frenchmen to the spot.
Full in the van, with bated breath,
Brave Wolfe ascended to liis death,
While Montcalm, trusting guards to keep
A careful watch, took his last sleep !
For lo ! the early dawn revealed
The red coats stationed in the field ;
The Plains of Abraham were bright
With troops all marshaled for the fight
I will not here the tale intrude
About the battle that ensued
Of rallying ranks, when hope was low,
Or brilliant charges to and fro.
On history's pages read you may
How fell the heroes of that day ;

THE BIN >W \ll.s |\ ( \\ \|»\.

And how, ere shades of uighl came down,
The I * ji i< n i Jack waved o'er the town."
Wlrile fcln'ough Canadian wilds they passed
Where snow was piled Like mountains vast,
They look to snow-shoes Long and stout,
Willi their own hands well fashioned out-

THE BROWNIES IN CANADA.

As when a club strives for a prize,

A bowl, or cup of handsome size,

And every member does his best

To keep ahead of all the rest,

So every Brownie struggled well

His puffing comrades to excel;

But shoes would sometimes hit or hitch,

And headlong down the mountain pitch

The very ones that seemed to show

The greatest speed upon the snow.

So he that for some distance ran,

A smiling leader in the van,

Would thus be thrown clear out of gear

And left to struggle in the rear,

But best of feelings governed still

The lively race o'er plain and hill.

THE BROWNIES 0R< >SS

THE ATLANTIC.

Second Stage.

TILL farther north the Brownie band
Pursued their way across the strand
To where the sea, with capes and isles,
Is narrowed to one thousand miles.
And here they planned some logs to rind.
And build a raft of strongest kind.
On which they all might safely ride,
Until they reached the eastern side.
And then continue on their way
Through foreign lands without delay.

Said one : ''At this time of the year

The eurrents eastward set from here;

And if our raft but holds together.

And we are blessed with pleasant weather,

Within a fortnight, at the most,

We '11 surely reach the Norway coast."

Another said: "Somewhat I know

About that ocean's ebb and flow,

And tell you, ere you court such ills

You \\ all do well to make your wills.

THE BROWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC.

However, if we fail to reach
Norwegian soil, we '11 find some beach
That to our raft may kinder be
Than Norway's rocks or maelstrom sea."
Tims well encouraged at the start,
Tbey soon prepared, through mystic art,
A wide affair, where each could, rest,
And sit or stand as pleased him best,
While trusting with a patient heart
The ocean to perform its part.

Said one : " No state-rooms we '11 provide
Wherein a favored few can hide,
Nor make a hold or steerage deep
Where some in dangerous times might creep;
But all alike, through storm or wreck,
Must take their chances on the deck."
With willing hands, in maimer fine
To carry out their grand design,

At work the active Brownies stayed,
Until the strange concern was made.
Of leatherwood and various things
They manufactured ropes and strings,
Which served them well for many a day
With stores and rope-walks far away.
With prospects fine the trip began,
The sea with even motion ran,
And straight for Europe, as a crow
Could wing its way, the Brownies go ;

THE BROWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC.

Ami as I bey .-Hided mile to mile,
Their pleasant ehai went on the while.

At times they sighted far ahead
A ship with all her canvas spread.
"Lie low!" would be the shout, and all
Upon the raft would promptly sprawl.
And there as fiat as flounders lie.
For fear the lookout's watchful eye

THE BROWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC.

Would take them for a shipwrecked crew

Thus drifting round on ocean blue.

At such a time down quickly came

Their banner with the Brownie name,
Concealed from sight to rest a space
Till they could safely give it place.-
For hours without a stir they 'd stay,
Until the ship woidd tack away
Upon her course, and pass from sight,
And leave them free to stand upright.
But few on any craft can ride
Upon the north Atlantic tide
And not some scenes or trials find
To ever after hear in mind.

And soon the wind began to play

With billows in no tender way ;

But pitched them up into the air

To meet the clouds that lowered there.

'T is bad enough to stand on board

A ship with life-preservers stored

And count the minutes passing by

Ere you their saving strength must try;

But harder for the Brownie band
Upon that creaking raft to stand.
And know, if in the sea they rolled,
No buoyant cork would them uphold.
Said one, as glancing fore and aft
He tried to keep upon the raft,

THE BROWNIES CROSS THE ATI. AN lie.

"The artist paints, and poel raves
About the ocean's tinted waves,
But, Lei me tell you, when you stand
'Twixt sky and water, far from Land,
Wit 1 1 gales behind and squalls before,
And angry ocean in full roar,
You're not so likely to 'enthuse'
About its 'cradles,' or its hues.

The sea, indeed, since early days,
Has had its strange, uncertain ways:
With pleasant calms that still invite
You from the shore in spirits light,
It leads you on, while scarce appears
A rip] >le to awaken fears.
But when far out upon the main
Where wishes and regrets are vain,
Into a boiling rage it goes
And neither sense nor pity shows,
But jumps around in manner dread,
As if to find another bed.

If at the first the world "was planned
To have a greater stretch of land,
And less expanse of treacherous sea.
It would have better suited me."
Another said, "My friend, I fear
Such carping won't avail you here;
Pray keep a surer hold, you M best.
And let the world's formation rest.
Few joys through life one may obtain
That are not balanced well with pain,

THE BROWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC.

^CTNr^Sl

It may be suffering

of the frame,
Or of the mind,

't is all the same.
You can't through foreign

countries roam
And have the comforts

of a home ;
You can't lie under

leafy trees
And at the same time

sail the seas.
Too late you rave

of grass and flower;
Now that you 're in

old Neptune's power
You 11 more appreciate

the land
When you again

upon it stand."
The air with birds

and fish was filled,
Tossed 'round as wind

and water willed.

THE BROWNTEH CliOSH THE ATLANTIC.

Thus talk wont
on with
ready tongue,
As still the
Bvownies stuck
and clung.
Ofttimes in
close embrace
well locked
Across tlie raft
they reeled
and rocked
Beneath the
overwhelming
stroke
Of crested
waves that
on them oroke.
Ofttimes some

demon of the sea
High in the air
would lifted he.

i-,l I., icll wli.'ii swam or flew,
1 transil all things knew;
bring, tail first, on their way,

d i trough t be spray,

line,- scales ami feat hers long
i ne gale so si rong.

THE BROWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC.

And, passing over raft and crew,

His journey through the waves renew.

Tin: BKOWNIEH i Kiiss THE A I I. AN I [< I.

At times the urew was Frightened well
When sharks or grampus splashing tell
Where mighty waves did mastery win
1 n spite of I \\ isl big tail or tin ;
Then plowing round from side to side
The visitor would slip and slide,
Till, to the greal relief of fish
And harmonizing with the wish
Of every Brownie, down he went
Into his natural element.

'T was well the ropes and hawsers stood
They made of birch or leatherwood,

For had they parted in that strain.
When consternation seemed to reign,
'T is hard to estimate the loss
That might have followed such a toss.

But winds go down, if one can last
To be around when all is passed,
So waves grew still, the fearful squall
Had spent its force, and best of all,
Though out of shape the raft was tossed
And logs were broken, others lost.
When that distressing storm was through
Not one was missing from the crew.
But while the waves around them played
The Brownie band good time had made.
For now. when calm the ocean grew,
A tract of land was plain in view.

THE BROWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC.

And
They
And
They

One cried: "'T is Norway's rugged strand!"
More said : " It 's not so wild a land.
1T is more inviting to the eyes
Than shores where frowning Norway lies."
But as 't was land they needed most
They made all haste to reach the coast,
And by the greenness of the sod
They thought old Erin's soil they trod,

when a shamrock next they found

knew their first surmise was sound.

with a hip, hip, hip, hurrah !

gave three cheers for " Erin go bragh."

Upon tjje land as or; fye deep
A sljarp lookout tlje ujise u;ill hjeep

THE BROWNIES IN IRELAND.

Tiiii;i> Stag i-:.

Brownie band stopped for a while
To ramble through The Emerald Isle.
Said one; "This land from shore to shor
Is noted for its fairy lore.
There 's not a child, or type of age
Howe'er unlearned in lettered page,
But can relate some legend queer
About the fairies' doings here.

Old women, with a shaking head.

Can mumble stories dark and dread

Of midnight cries by window-sill

Or chimney-top that boded ill;

Or in a lighter mood can tell

How fairies wish young couples well,

And mounted on a nodding weed.

That serves them nicely for a steed.

They ride before to clear the way

Of dangers on their wedding day.
29

Hands r<;ay notujitbcJold
be lined '
Still do tbeir part at seruice
Kind-

THE BROWNIES EN IRELAND.

No horse will stumble on the road,
No wheel come off and dump a load,
But light of heart

and undismayed
They travel by

the fairies' aid."
Ere long each Brownie

in the band

shillalah in his hand
thorn bushes did provide,
ished thick on every side,
as men oft carried there
hght or fair,
fall on tender crowns
cleared the towns,
they took the road,
the country showed.

Bore a

That black-

Which flour

Such sticks

To use at faction-

That through their

Of timid folk soon

A happy hand,

Enjoying scenes

At times they paused

upon the wa\

In verdant fields

to run and play,

Some gathered shamrocks —

well they could,

For thick on every side they stood.

Said one : " This plant so widely known

Has quite a history of its own,

For we are told that long ago,

Ere Erin did religion know,

The good old saint with one, in brief,

Brought to his knees a barbarous chief.

THE BROWNIES IN I KI.I.AND.

>#!kaJ

tfc, "•^|»^»;„«S)■^»■'''"■

He plucked a shamrock from the ground

And proved to him, with logic sound.
That, three in one and one in three,
It symbolized the Trinity."
They thought to ride to Mullingar
From Bantry in a jaunting-car.

But it was hardly tit to hold
So large a hand of Brownies hold,
A mishap came to them to mar
Their pleasure ere they journeyed far
They might have made the trip complete
And each have kept his place or seat
Did not a linch-pin break or bend"
And give the wheel a chance to end
A partnership existing long
Between it and the axle strong.
And soon that dissolution showed
A pile of Brownies on the road.
And others who were forced to slide
Into a ditch with mud supplied.
Some to the donkey shouted " Whoa !
But he was in no shape to go.

come aid jjo
Wljile uje sojourn Ijere
beiouj.

THE BROWNIES IN IRELAND.

The creature, that was none too sure
Upon his feet, could not endure

^^iTC/jrox

The unexpected shock and shake,
That came when things began to break ;
So feeling that his days were told
He with the Brownies helpless rolled.

THE BROWNIES IN CRELAND.

Some left the cultivated sod,

Ami on the imtilled hillocks trod—

Those mounds thai rise in certain lands,

Built up, '1 is said, by fairy hands,

And still held sacred to the fay

And Leprechawn ;d present day.

Some ran upon the springy bogs,
Or looked in vain for snakes and frogs.
Said one: "St. Patrick, sure enough,
As legends tell us, used them rough;
First laid upon the rogues a curse,
And then, to make their lot the worse.
With blackthorn stick and brogue combined
Made short work of the reptile kind.

The serpents wriggled from the shore

To hiss upon the soil no more ;

Tlu' frogs jumped off in frightened bands

To tune their pipes in other lands.

And Erin, to this day, you see.

From every one of them is free."

'^Wf^ft^fe

They sailed upon Killamey's lakes.
Where every wave in silver breaks,

THE BROWNIES IN IRELAND.

And all the hills around so green
Reflected in the floods are seen.

imiir
Wmsam

Then in the Druid's temple old
They stood, and many a story told
Ahout the people's rites and ways
And curious myths of ancient days.
One night they saw a dozen spats
Between some large Kilkenny cats,
That, to the old tradition true,
Fought till the hair in patches flew.

Provoked to see a temper wild,
In pets that should be meek and mild,
The Brownies broke upon the fray
And scattered them in every way.

THE BROWNIEH IN EKELAND.

Said one : " Nol often are we found
Thus waging war on things around.
I '.ill here 's ;i ease I ba1 does demand
Some speeial treatmenl from the ban
Ami we l>ui exercise our power
So folks may have a peaceful hour.

As for ourselves, we* little car< —

A wakeful night we well can hear;

But those who labor hard all day
Their bread to win, or rent to pay.
Should have a chance to sleep at aight,
And rise refreshed at morning light."

To Cork they traveled from Athlone
And hunted for the Blarney Stone.
At length they found it in its place
And kissed it with becoming grace.
From first to last they did n*t rest
Till each his lips against it pressed.
It did their nerve and courage try
As every one could testify.
'T was bad enough like owls to hold
A footing on the ruins old.
Where all the stones seemed ripe to go
In showers to the lawn below.

THE BBOWNIES IN IRELAND.

But worse than clinging vines, and all

The dangers of the crumbling wall,

To find the stone there at the tip

So inconvenient to the lip.

No wonder then the heart heat fast

And through the head misgivings passed,

While hanging
To reach the
But willing
To the anibi-

o'er the parapet

stone so strangely set.
hands assistance gave
tious and the brave,

Or favors might have gone amiss
On stones unworthy of the kiss.

And then in pleasant frame of mind
They started off again to find

THE BROWNIES IN [RELAND.

The Giant's Causeway, high and grand,
The greatest wonder in the land.
Around the place the Brownies strayed
And freely thus some comments made :
" This way, that does so strangely rise
Like organ pipes of monster size
All turned to stone, once formed a road
On which the giants often strode.
The story goes that long ago
They traveled boldly to and fro,

THE BROWNIES IN IRELAND.

And thus passed o'er the marshy ground
That did then* castle walls surround.
The last one of the giant race,
'T is said, here found a resting-place ;
For here the giant, with a sack
Of plunder bundled on his back,
Fell from the road one stormy night,
And in the bog sank out of sight.
The people living hereabout
Were not inclined to help him out,
But watched him sinking with his prog
And named the place the ' Giant's Bog.' "
Another said : " 'T is strange, I hold,
No searcher after relics old
Has ever brought around a spade
And here an excavation made
To bring the giant's bones to light,
And have them set on wires aright,
So people for all time might stare
Upon a skeleton so rare."
So thus they talked and rambled free
The wonders of the land to see.

THE BROWNIES

IN SCOTLAND.

Fourth Stage.

time the band of Brownies bright
Reached Scottish soil in great delight.
They traveled many miles to see
Where Macbeth met the witches three
While he returned from battle-plain
A hero free from sinful stain.
Though centuries their flight had ta'en
Between the poet and the Thane,
And centuries away had rolled
Since that dramatic tale was told,
The Brownies, with unwearied pace,
Approached ere long the secret place.
Said one : " This is the very spot
The witches danced around the pot,
And stirred the broth that was designed
To poison an ambitious mind,
And to the surface omens bring
To whisper of a future king."

THE BROWNIES IN SCOTLAND.

Another said : " 1T is, sure enough ;

I fancy I can smell the stuff,

And on the heath behind this hill

See traces of their fire still,

O'er which they boiled the horrid mess

That brought about so much distress.

The ' eye of newt and toe of frog '

Soon gave poor Scotland such a jog,

Young heads grew old and black ones gray

Before she knew a peaceful day."

The mention of those stirring times

Soon brought to mind the witches' rhymes,

THE BROWNIES IN SCOTLAND

As there, with many ;i bop and squat,
They danced around the bubbling pot.
So, joining hands upon thai ground,
Some Brownies danced a merry round

Willi "Thrice to thine and thrice to mil

According to the magic line,
While smiles the width of faces tried
As comrades formed a circle wide
To see with what a show of art
The actors would perform their part.

Then off to other points they strayed
And many a famous scene surveyed.

*v-:V

1 ■■'■' "''■'..

A view of Edinburgh they gained,

Then* feet were still and eyes were strained

As they took in the pleasing sight

That caused both wonder and delight.

THE BROWNIES IN SCOTLAND.

Through mystic power

they found their way
To rugged castles

old and gray,
They crowded every foot

of space
Where coronations
once took
place ;
Upon the ancient \ seat they

crawled
Where royalty was oft

installed.
Said one : " This is no doubt

the chair
Where kings received

the crown to wear,
Which proved a signal for attacks
That soon laid monarehs on their backs.
Short was their shrift, small joy they found,
From having been as sovereigns crowned.

'T was but a step

A rough one, too,

If but one care

Relating to that ?

Then secret plots

And heirs apparent

Then dirk or dagger, ax or brand,

Whate'er lay nearest to the hand,

from throne to bier,

as doth appear,

to read the page

murderous age.

were planned each night

passed from sight,

IUOWNIES l\ SCOTLAND.

Was used, a wished for change to brinj
And rid I he eounl ry of a king."

The Brace's sword, so long and large

Well made to split a casque or targe,

Was hefted with respectful hand

By every member of the band.

Said one: "No wonder foes gave out
When such a blade was swung about,

j^> Or for Ins crown and Scotland's righl

He brouglrl it down with all bis might."

Gray Ben Venue was reached at last,
And famous woods and fords wen- passed.

"Tins is," said one, "the Trosach's dell

Where once, with such a fiendish yell

Clan Alpine sallied from the glen

Upon the frightened archer men.

But, lacking Roderick's bugle blast

To cheer them on, as in the past.

Were cheeked by Moray's lancers brave

And tumbled back into their grave."

To fair Loch Katrine next they paid

A visit, and around it strayed.

And had there been a barge at hand

No doubt they would have shoved from land.

It should awe pleasure

to us all
lo tu'cl the ueaH or those

THE BKOWNIES IN SCOTLAND.

Wild Caledonia, rich in scenes

Might well tax even Brownies' means

Of getting round and seeing all

The places worthy of a call.

They traveled far and traveled wide,

To fields and mountains every side,

To lakes and streams, and castles strong

Made famous by immortal song.

While resting on a structure old

Which spanned a stream that swiftly rolled,

Said one : " This is the town of Ayr,

And this the bridge, I do declare,

To which the screeching witches came

When Tarn O'Shanter was their game.

The kirk that stands beyond the trees

Is where they sallied out like bees,

And put the gray mare to her most

To save O'Shanter from a roast.

Close at his back, with shout and jeer,
They chased him to the keystone here,
But farther than this spot they dare
Not follow either Tarn or mare."
Then one, who measured with his eyes
The distance, thus expressed surprise :
" It puzzles me, that stormy night,
When roads were muddy, lightning bright,
And all the witches, howling mad,
Were at the time so lightly clad,

THE BROWNIES IN SCOTLAND.

How Tarn's old mare, the t nil h to t
Could keep ahead of them so well."

Milfllfa

Kill liiiliS*

Oft funis H,nf soar

tljs best

Rise from the bordejt

Jiest .

Then to the humble cottage small

Where Burns was Lorn, they hastened all.

To talk about the noted spot

That is revered by every Scot.

Said one: "A lowly home, in truth.
Where that bright poet passed his youth.
Which proves that genius, now and then.
Is not confined to high-horn men,
But through mysterious ways divine
In humble souls finds room to shine."
With bagpipes in then arms, in pairs,
They marched and played sweet Scottish airs

THE BROWNIES IN SCOTLAND.

Like "Annie Laurie," " Bonnie Doon,-;
And many a soul-inspiring tune.
It chanced to be the time of year
When ice was spread on stream and mere,
And hardy Scotchmen strained their bones
And muscles, shoving curling-stones,
And made the very hills applaud,
Or echo back their language broad.

The Brownies, from a neighboring height

Peeped down upon the pleasing sight

Until the shades of evening came

And made the players quit their game.

Said one: "'Let half a dozen go

For brooms to sweep away the snow

While others run without delay

To find where stones are laid away.

This curling game, that to the band

May seem so strange, I understand.

I 've watched them play till after dark

On frozen lakes within the park,

And heard the loud approval, too,

Of ' Weel done, Sawnie ; guid for you ! ' r
It was not long, as one may think,
Before they stood around the rink.
Some for the sport were doubly nerved,
And won applause they well deserved,
Whde others soon had aching bones
Who got in front of sliding stones.
Sometimes the stones hit with such force
They split, or, bounding on then course,

THE BROWNIES IN SCOTLAND.

IP-

zmmm

Mr'1 , -. v. v

ft ■- 5

Rolled on the edge and hav<>e made
Among the busy broom brigade;
But ere the light of morning came
All understood the curling game.

•±7

Dopood for goodness sa^e

a I u> ny s
Not for reujnrd on earth,
nor praise. *

TTE BROWNIES IN ENGLAND.

Fifth Stage.

e Browiiies next when plans were laid,
A visit to Old England paid;
They sought the country towns and all
At Shakspere's birthplace made a call.
Found time around the house to stray
Where hved and loved Ann Hathaway.
At length, one eve as shades came down
They reached the streets of London town.
On London Bridge they sat in rows,
As on a fence some watchful crows,
Commenting on the structures grand
That here and there the river spanned,
Or spelling out the vessels' names
That floated up and down the Thames.

THE BROWNIES IN ENGLAND.

Said one, who gained extended view
" It' the ambitious Romans knew
When they this city founded here
Beside the river broad and clear

That it would still keep spreading fast

Till largest in the world at last,

They doubtless would have kept the yoke

Much longer on the British folk."

Another said : " We little know

How soon a town will stretch and grow

THE KliOWXIES IN ENGLAND.

Si)"ie pi

If it is situated right
The trade of nations to invite."
So rich in wonders was the place
They hardly knew where first to race.
Some wished to visit Tyburn Hill,
Or Smithfield, that gives one a chill,
As through the mind the records run
Of cruel work that there was done.

More wished to race along the Strand,

Or by the Bank of England stand

And ponder there about the gold

And silver bullion it can hold.

llfff^ft^i^l/.-.'^Jb.^f

The Brownies hunted for an hour
To gain a view of London Tower;

THE BROWNIES IN i:\ci.\Mi.

At length, an <
Thai showed it

Said one : " The

Seems like a

Compared with

Thai oft held

And saw the

■!i new tney tound,
towers square and round.

Tombs, ob ( lenl re St reet,
pleasant country-seat
that old frowning pile
kings in durance vile,
blood in torrents flow

you'll call to mind the days

u,(Tl7 pride '
Wbet) you proved true,fyou£lj

sorely fried

So many hundred years ago.

Within it lies, if talcs arc true,

The proof of what hard hearts can do —

The block, the chain, the prison cage,

And tortures of a vanished age

T is told that Julius Caesar laid

Its corner-stone with great parade,

And in its dungeons, dark and deep,

Did many a valiant Briton keep.

Next, William I., the Norman brave,

Its massive, snow-white tower gave;

Then, as the centuries onward rolled,

And kiugs grew more self-willed and hold,

Still higher towers were made to grow

And deeper dungeons dug below,

Till now it seems fit place to hide

The noble blood of Europe wide.

Here baron, duke, and count might blink

In unison with fetter clink,

Like many a one who here was cast

On small pretense in ages past."

Another said : " An outward sight

Will not content the band to-night,

THE BROWNIES IN ENGLAND.

So to the gate at once we '11 race
And gain an entrance to the place.
And through each hold and keep we '11 go,
From turret high to dungeon low,
To view the arms and fixtures strange,
Preserved so well through many a change,
To he a lesson full and free
For generations yet to be."
Soon through the place the Brownies ran
This lance to view, that helmet scan,
Or gaze upon an ax with dread,
That lopped off many a royal head;
And heavy-fashioned

halberds viewed
That paths at Agincourt

had hewed,
Where Henry, on

St. Crispin's day,
In face of odds

showed no dismay.
They climbed inside

of armor old
And peeped out where

the visage bold
Of some crusader

oft had frowned
Upon his turbaiied
foes around.
The helmet cleft, the corselet bent,
The baldric pierced, and symbol rent

THE BROWNIES IN ENGLAND.

Showed some Sir Knighi had sure enough
In Palestine found usage rough.
They chained

each other

to the wall,
They tried the

thumb-screws,

racks, and all.
So they might

he the better
schooled
In what went on when tyrants ruled.

They crowded some into a hole
Where not a ray of daylight stole
To cheer the heart or show the face
Of those who languished in the place.

Behind the shields

that turned aside
The weapons that

the Paynim plied,
They ran for
refuge when
some sound
Would spread a sudden
fear around.
They found some arms and for a while
Marched here and there in soldier style,
Some carrying an ancient blade.
And some the latest weapon made.

THE BROWNIES IN ENGLAND.

Thus hours were passed within the walls,
Still visiting the ceUs and halls,
And corridors and stairways strong
That called to mind some crime or wrong.
Then other j parts of town they sought

Thai -illiiiiitite;.. wakened other

>-<■ trains of

thought.

From Ludgate Hill the Brownies flew
When old St. Paul's appeared in view.

THE BROWNIES IN ENGLAND.

Said one: "li looks as fine as when
It left t he compasses of With ;
No greater monumenl could be
Erected to his memory."

About the place some hours they stayed,
Then to Westminster Abbey paid
A visit, where they rambled round,
And soon the Poets' Corner found.
To moralize, as well they might.
Before the busts and statues white,
That were by skilful hands designed
To represent some master mind.

More nights than one they slacked their gait
In fogs that wrapped the city great,
And poked about until distressed
In seeking for some place to rest.
Some tried with lanterns to pursue
Their way to points they better knew,
While others sought some place to hide
Until the pall should drift aside.
Said one : " This town so large and fine
Would be a favorite spot of mine

THK BltOWNlES E\ ENGLAND.

If fogs were not so often spread
To keep one moving round in dread.
Last night for hours I groped astray
In streets where best I know my way;
'T is hard to go when brightest light
Is in a fog extinguished quite,
From door to door, from stone to stone,
To work your way by touch alone.

All native tact for nothing went
As here and there with body bent
And fingers spread, I felt about
To find some mark to help me out.
I tumbled down three cellar-stairs,
Then into holes for street repairs ;

PALVCt COX.

Ran twice against a watchman's legs
Who lay asleep upon some kegs.

THE BROWNIES IN ENGLAND.

Ami next ;i watering-trough I found,
And falling in was nearly drowned.
Through many trying scenes I passed
Ere I to (lad's Hill crawled at last.
'T is dangerous work for us 1<> stay
Where one can't tell the uighi from day
We cannot keep our bearing right,
Know when to hide, or come in sight.
No doubt, on this historic ground
Ten thousand wonders may be found
To interest the Brownie mind
With moral lessons well defined,
Of which we might for ages speak,
Nor have a subject trite or weak,
But let ns now some plans advance
To cross the Channel into France."

Noblest Isles l:>er]eatlj tlje sky
We must leaue a3 on we fly

THE BROWNIES IN FRANCE.

Sixth Stage.

evening when the Brownies met
They talked and planned of how to get
A ship or boat to serve their need,
So o'er to France they might proceed.
Said one, at length: "My comrades brave,
I Ve heard about this choppy wave,
Where winds ami tides so oft contend
And to the rail old sailors send
Who were when sailing open sea
From all internal troxddes free.

Now, we '11 not be to ships confined

That may at least upset our mind

If nothing more, while we can go

In other ways, as I will show.

Last night, while poking round, I spied

Not half a mile from ocean side,

To my surprise, a strange affair

That 's made to travel through the ah,

Not like balloons ascending high,

Which as the wind directs them fly,

THE BROWNIES IN FRANC

But made with wings and tail and all
To steer its way through roughest squal
With straight est course throughout

maintained,
Until a certain point is gained.
I doubt it' the inventor knows
Much better how that air-ship goes
Than I, who all its points to find,
Crawled through it with inquiring mind
At every art we all are skilled:
A slight affair like that we '11 build,
One that will all our wants supply,
And then the Brownie band may fly
High over all the creaking fleet
That on the waves disaster meet."

If you fjope ncroujr

1o_g.Tr,
You <rZ-,\ fa He '!,(•

Before a week had passed, at most,

They left behind the English coast,
Upon an air-ship of their own

By clever hands together thrown
From such odd stuff as lay about
And could be nsed to shape it out.
Sometimes between the clouds and sky
They passed the soaring eagle by ;
At times a downward sweeping gale
Would get control of wings and tail
And bear them down with fearful force
Until the water checked their course,
And then, half buried in the deep.
The straining ship would onward leap,

THE BROWNIES IN FRANCE.

While to the dangling ropes

that hung
Away astern some

Brownies
clung,

Afraid of seas that o'er them rolled,
But more afraid to loose their hold.

THE BROWNIES IN FRANCE.

Now rising with a sudden star!

The strange affair would upward dart.

While those who had been cheated oul

Of cabin-passage still were stoul

Ami could their greal endurance show

By hanging to the ropes below.

Now some advised to keep her high,

And others said to let her fly

Along the sea through waves and all.

Thus to avoid a fearful fall

In ease the works got out of tune

When they were half-way to the moon.

They found the new machine that night

Somewhat erratic in its flight.

The helm at times, the truth to tell,
It did not answer extra well ;
Some technicalities, no doubt,
The Brownies scarce had studied out,
And so the ride failed to impart
The joy they hoped for at the start.
Said one : " I 'd rather lose a toe.
Or leg in fact, if it must go
To feed the fish along the shore,
Thau fall five thousand feet or more."
Another shouted : " Timi her round,
And steer her back to English ground !
For one, I 'd rather France should stay
Untrodden by my feet for aye.
Than there in such a fixture get
That has not been perfected yet ;

THE BROWNIES / IN FRANCE.

^W«r

See how she darts and dives at will,

In spite of all your boasted skill.

I would not give a penny ' twist '

For all your lives if you persist

Against the storm to flap and soar

Until you cross this channel o'er."

But some were there whose valiant minds

Were not as fickle as the winds,

And though, instead of straight across,

They zigzag flew with painful loss

Of time and travel, still the bow

Was pointing e'er to France that now

Was growing more apparent fast

And promising success at last.

As wounded birds lose every grace,

And wildly flutter on through space,

Their only hope and only care

To keep themselves a while in air,

Now sinking, rising, straining still

To reach at length the woody hill,

Where they can hide away from sight

And ponder on their wretched plight,

So did that air-ship dodge and dive.

With all on board right well alive

THE BROWNIES IN FRANCE.

To every danger of the hour
lTntil il proved it bad the power
T<> bear them safely to the beach
Whii'li they were glad enough to reach.

While through Parisian streets so grand
One evening moved the Brownie band,

Said one: "At length the land we trace
That holds a brave and warlike race.
O'er many a field, if history 's true.
Their proud, victorious eagles flew,
When led by some commander grim
Who valued neither life nor limb;
And signs yon see on every side
Still show that spirit lias not died,
But slumbers to break out anew
When some Napoleon comes in view."

Another said: "They '11 wait a while
Before some unpretentious isle
Gives forth another who "11 display
Such wondrons powers in our day."
A third remarked: "We hope they will.
Who wants another born, to kill
And devastate the countries wide
To simply gratify his pride ?"
Not long the Brownies rambled round
Before Napoleon's tomb they found.
The massive crypt that holds his dust
Drew every eye, as still it must

THE BROWNIES IN FRANCE.

When strangers with a noiseless tread
In awe draw near the mighty dead.
Some who respected not the bones
Of one who caused such shrieks and groans
To echo round the world for years
Climbed on the tomb with jokes and jeers,
And it took more than one sharp cry
To bring them from their perch on high.

Then other sights they gathered round
Which in that city may be found.

THE BROWNIES IN FRANCE.

t '

And also so they could declare
They passed beneath that grand affair,
As well as those who conquered lands
And marched beneath in shouting bands.
( treat space would be

required to tell
Each place their pattering

footsteps fell,
For lively feet the

Brownies ply
And fast can travel

when they try.
They stood in galleries of art
With staring eyes,
and thankful heart

THE BBOWNIES IN FBANCE.

That they had found at length a chance
To see the famous works of France,
The sculptures and the paintings grand
That told of many a master hand.
The Brownies halted one and all
Before the graceful column tall
That towered many feet in air
And ornamented well its square;

On every side of it they stood

And moralized, as well they could,

Ahout the shouting populace

That had run riot round its hase.

Through streets they went smooth as a floor,

And in the Seine they dipped an oar;

Then to old palaces they ran

At least their

outer form JM

to scan, , . , „Jj

THE BROWNIES IN PRANCE.

Since time allowed do closer view
And they their journey musl pursue.

te walls thai were so nigh and stout,
Designed to keep the rabble oul

If riot raised its crimsoned hand,
Could not keep oul the

Brownie band.
Thus through the town

they worked their way
To view the scenes that

round them lay.
Then off to other cities sped,
And battle-fields, where

thousands bled,
To Agfncourt, and Crecy; then
A visit paid to old Rouen,
Where on the pile of fagots tied
The "Maid of Orleans"
bravely died.
A thousand nights they

might have found
Good cause indeed

to ramble round,
But other countries they must find
And leave the soil of France behind.

ErPtlje stars put up ttyei'r screens
We'll be off to oUjev soeries

THE BROWNIES IN SPAIN.

Seventh Stage.

sunny Spain so bright and gay
The Brownies made a lengthy stay.
The groves were fine, the sky was clear,
The air was mild, the buildings queer,
And every night some wonder new
Or novel freak attention drew.
One night, while near a city old
Where Guadalquivir's waters rolled,
One with descriptive powers blessed
Soon interested all the rest.
Said he : " Last night I found a chance
To see these lively Spaniards dance ;
Not moving through a figure slow,
But bouncing wddly, heel and toe ;
Now waving arms above then head,
Now like a saw-horse strangely spread;
Now with one foot uplifted there
Describing circles in the air ;
Now freely tossing limbs around,
Now with then* noses near the ground,

THE BROWNIES IN' SPAIN.

The room from side to side they crossed,
As if in search of something lost.

/,' (J The Indian's hop,

»a!v %*!

JMf

the Scotchman's reel,
The Frenchman's
glide,
or German's
wheel

;'j / ■ i ',; ' ■■■• . ■■* '

ill HW At ■ , ■ ' ' " ' -

flV't»?

Should not he mentioned the same day
"With Spanish dancers light and gay."

THE BROWNIES IN SPAIN.

Another said : " If that 's the case,
We must at once secure a place
Where every turn and action free
That you had such good luck to see,
From tripping toe to tossing hand,
May he indulged in hy the hand."

A third remarked : " The dance I knew
Before you ever rations drew;
I 've passed the hours from dark to dawn
In light fandangoes on the lawn,
And I have not yet lost the art
Of giving life to every part.
So in the dance you now .propose
I '11 show my comrades how it goes.''
It does n't take a lengthy space
Of time for them to find a place;
Could human folk then wants supply
As readily as Brownies spry,
Ah ! many a one without a roof,
Or garment that is weather-proof,
Would soon he free from want or cold.
And all life's comforts snugly hold.
But readers, all must understand
Commissions in the Brownie hand
Are not for sale, no gaps exist,
The ranks are full, complete the list.
So none need hope, as Brownies hold
With mystic powers, to he enrolled.
Conceal you. ■ frowns idfy Before one half the night had flown

.greatest care »

But let your srniles be free The Blwnies had familiar grown

'HE BROWNIES l\ SPAIN.

With every caper, toss, and fling
)^L Thai Spaniards in the dance can bring,
\nd well the lively people know
Che way fco trip the nimble toe.

From ( ladiz to the
Grallic line

Ollc could not Sec

such actions fine

Such waving hands,
such supple knees,

Such whirling round
with graceful ease,

As Brownies on
that floor revealed

Ere they were
forced to take

the field.

One night, while they were

passing down
The outskirts of a leading

town,
With eyes that ever turned

and rolled
Some novel wonder to behold.

THE BROWNIES IN SPAIN.

They found a strange inclosure wide

With seats arrayed on every side,

"Where thousands could a view obtain

Of objects on the inner plain.

Said one : "In this same place, I wreen,

The matadors with weapons keen

And scarlet cloak, to plague or blind

The monarch of the cattle kind,

Engage in that old cruel game

That has been long the nation's shame.'"

Another said: "Your head is clear;
The animals indeed are here.
In stalls or pens they rest to-night
In waiting for to-morrow's fight.
We '11 take a peep and in this case
See what the Spaniards have to face."

The chatting of the band enraged
The creatures that were closely caged;
They bellowed loudly, spurned the ground,
And in a frenzy rushed around,
And finally broke through the wall
Or fence that had inclosed them all,
And, charging madly, thought to gore
A dozen of the band or more.
Now with good reason pale with flight,
The Brownies scampered left and right,
And climbed up posts and trees in haste
To be in safer quarters placed;

THE BROWNIES IN sl'.UN.

Their nimbleness

and mystic power
Both stood, them well in hand that hour.
But still a few, in spite of all,
Were tossed across a neighboring wall,
Alighting on some garden trees
That let them down to earth with ease.
Said one: "If that 's the kind of game
The matadors have got to tame,

THE BBOWNIES IN SPAIN,

When out into the ring

they go,
They 're

welcome

to their

fight

and show !

We 'd best make haste

and leave the pen,

I '11 hardly he myself again
For half a year, I well believe,
Though best of doctoring I receive."
Another answered from a vine
That grew above the danger hue,
" If this is sport, I 'd like to know
Just when one ought the smile to show.
I would n't stay in such a town
As this is for pf^Bo fSgill the Spanish crown!

Land where Ka-J^MaM such pastimes are unknown.

THE BROWNIES

IX ITALY.

Eighth Stage.

aSMIft Italy the Brownies
knew
But little rest the

season through,
So many places they

could rind
To visit and improve

the mind.
The master works of

former days
And great cathedrals
drew then'
gaze.
Through galleries
of art they
strolled
'Mid statues large
and paintings
old,

THE BBOWNIES IN ITALY.

Such as the world

to present date

Has tried in vain

to imitate.

They clambered over

Peter's dome,

And seemed to feel

as much at home

Upon the highest point they found

As if they sported on the ground,

Though now and then some trouble rose
From rash attempts or slipping toes.
At times a Brownie lost his hold
And half-way down the dome he rolled
Until an ornament would check
His fall in time to save his neck.

The better to observe the style

And finish of the wondrous pile

They hung by lengthy ropes to see

Each cap and frieze and metope,

And learn how they withstood the wear

Of centuries, so high in air.
An amphitheater at last
The Brownies found 'mid ruins vast.
Said one: "A gladiator show
Such as the people used to know
On festal days throughout the year
No longer may be witnessed here.
The well-worn course one may behold
Where once the brazen chariots rolled,

'HE BROWNIES l\ ITAI.V.

Amid the clouds of dust that rose
To tickle many a Roman nose;
The heartless crowds have had their day.
And time has swept them all away,
With all the shields and nets and spears
Their cruel sports and fiendish cheers."
Another said: "While passing by
A window in a building nigh,
I glanced around, and what think you
The first of all attention drew !
A foot-ball such as students send
When they in college games contend.
That hall in half ;i snap you 11 see
Or I 'm not what 1 used to be,
And on this spot where martyrs gave
Themselves to beasts their faith to save.
Where tiger's howl and lion's roar
Could not affright the hearts they bore,
We '11 have at once a friendly game
That will all Romans' efforts shame.

THE BKOWNIES IN ITALY.

Although no Csesar will look down
Upon the scene with smile or frown,
No ready thumbs a signal throw
To spare or speed the final blow,
Far greater crowds ow actions trace
Than all the Roman populace,
And loving miUions far and near
May yet applaud our doings here."

Another said: "My sportive friend,
Our time to this we cannot lend,
Too many objects are at hand
That claim attention from the band,
To other scenes we must away,
Nor linger here your game to play."

When safe in Venice, quaint and old,
At length arrived the Brownies bold,
Said one: "This is the strangest yet
Of all the cities we have met —
Where streets are not dug up each day
Some other kind of pipes to lay,
Where no one sees a paving-stone,
And carriage-makers are unknown,
While all the horses here in sight
Are chiseled out of marble white."
A second said: "It calls to mind
The stories one in books may find.
'T was here Othello did regale
The Duke with plain unvarnished tale ;

THE BROWNIES IN ITALY.

Told how he won his lovely bride,
Nor used a charm nor aught beside
Save tales of sieges, long campaigns,
Of shipwrecks, and of slaver's chains.
Here Shylock clamored for his bond,
But law so sharply did respond
It almost turned the plaintiffs brain
By bringing loss hi place of gain;

And here the Doge to plotting fell,

And waited for the signal bell

That was to call the fated men

And butchers to the slaughter-pen;

But those among whose tombs he thought

To stand alone, his secret caught,

And promptly ruled the roost instead

By taking off the plotter's head."

"This town,"
(* That seems to
Has many boats
Take pleasant
So picturesque
They seem well
For some can
And some on
"While others
For fear while

another soon replied,
float upon the tide
wherein we may
rides till break of day,
they look, and grand,
suited for the band,
hide away below,
top can make them go,
keep a keen lookout
sailing hereabout,

Through lack of skill or want of room.
We strike a palace or a tomb —
And little else appears to be
Projected here above the sea."

THE BKOWNIES IN ITALY.

Ere long, in boats of queer design,
Witli curving bows and trimming fine,
The Brownies jumped, to sail around
Through water-streets that there abound.
Beneath the Bridge of Sighs they passed,
And wondering looks upon it cast.

Said one : " They built it to sustain
No doubt a rapid-transit train,
That prisoners might be hurried well
From palace court to prison cell."
Another said : " 'T will not compare
With Brooklyn's Bridge so high in air,
Which, though perhaps no Bridge of Sighs,
For rushing crowds can take the prize."
Said one: "We '11 pause awhile to see
The place where prisoners used to be
Confined, perhaps, from boyhood's prime
Until their heads were bowed with time,
Then after all these years of dread
Were forth to stake or scaffold led."
They saw the chains by prisoners borne,
They saw the paths their feet had worn
In solid stone while pacing round
Away from every sight and sound.
As stately ships in harbors wide,
Or open sea, ofttimes collide,
With captains in the service gray,
And all the steering gear in play,
It may not seem beyond belief

That Brownies sometimes come to grief

'HE BROWNIES IN VWWA

a I 0

ftES

Once while they gazed at wonders there
They failed to take the needed care,
For as beneath an arch they ran
They missed the center of the span.
And trouble then at once began.
The lengthy how slid up the stone
To find a passage of its own.

THE lUtOWNIES IN ITALY.

And stenrward in a struggling pile
The frightened Brownies fell the while.
Still higher did the boat ascend
Until it nearly stood on end,
And there was nothing else to do
But to the bottom take the crew,
And leave them in a fearful mess,
And Venice one gondola less.
'T is somewhat hard for one to say
How deep those silent waters lay,
But judging by the time that passed
Between the fall and rise at last,

The puffing Brownies
could not dive

Much deeper and
come up alive.

From Venice then they hastened all,
On old Pompeii made a caU.

THE BROWNIES IN ITALY.

There climbed upon the ruins great,
Ami moralized upon its fate.
Said one: "Upon these doorsteps old
The tale of love was often told,
Here children clustered on the walk.
Ami round these corners where we talk
Played hide-and-seek and blindman's-buff,
Ami scampered o'er this pavement rough
To dodge the horse's iron heels
Or heavy, rumbling chariot-wheels.
The story of the town you know —
How sudden fell that night of woe;
These streets, that often rang with cheers,
Were hid for sixteen hundred years
Beneath the overwhelming load
That old Vesuvius bestowed.
But let us leave the lonely place,
And off to other countries race,
Forgetting not that we must haste
Around the world, nor moments waste.'1

Hou/euci- fair may beflje land.
Still on must gofyegroujm'ebancL

THE
BROWNIES IX TURKET

Ninth Stage.

n Turkey there was much to view
That to the Brownie hand

was new.
The buildings strange and towers

high
At once attracted every eye.
On every spire of wood or stone,
Or arching gate, the crescent shone ;
So not one moment could the hand
Forget they trod the Sultan's land.
The highest mosque and minaret
The Brownies climbed in hopes

to get
A bird's-eye view of gardens fair,
And palaces that glittered there,
And ships that drifted to and fro
( )r lay at anchor far below.
Said one: "To climb this filigree
Is harder than to climb a tree;

THE BROWNIES IN TUKKEY.

[f we were lidl an active batch
In such as these we 'd find our match.
But steps or stairs we don't require
To help us up the tallest spire."
Another said: "No person can,
Be he a ((reek or Mussulman,
Erect a steeple round or square
Or octagon so high in air
Above his meeting-house or shop
That Brownies cannot reach the top."

Then St. Sophia's mosque so grand
Was much admired by all the band.

They sauntered round and round the place,
Then measured it with even pace.

And found the statements of its size
And beauty were not spiced with lies.
They walked around

in gardens fair,
Enjoying perfume-laden air,
And on the very

Sultan's lawn
They played at games

till early dawn ;

THE BKOWXIES IX TURKEY.

Ill secret places skirmished

round
Where strangers no admittance

found
And all the household,

by decree,
Were safely under

lock and key.

^•'^

They chatted freely

of the way
Some people live
at this late
day,
In spite of all that has been

done £3

To work reforms beneath Jm,

the sun. "%%T«

THE BROWNIES IN TURKEY.

Some lounged on rich
<liv;ms awhile,
More sat in ( Iriental

style
On ottomans in quiet

nooks,
And tried the hookas
and chibouks;
8omc filled the bowl,

while others drew
Upon the pipe, and puffed and blew,
Eaeli Brownie striving to excel
At making wreaths that lasted well,
Until the smoke hung like a cloud
Above the heads of all the crowd
And through the open windows there
Rolled out to scent the midnight air.

: ~^..-:.i,.,m.-'

This pleased awhile, but in the end
They felt they could not recommend
The Eastern custom to a friend.
( me night the valiant Brownies tried
To swim the Hellespont so wide —

THE BROWNIES IN TURKEY.

To imitate the daring feat

Of young Leander, when to meet

His lady-lore in secret bower

He braved the tide at evening hour.

Not one of all the active band
But hi that effort left the strand.
Though oft the band great streams had

crossed,
And here and there were roughly tossed,
They soon perceived, from last to first,
This was the wildest and the worst.
Some grew alarmed, ere half-way out,
And with pale faces turned about,

THE BROWNIES IN TURKEY.

And luit fur stronger friends al hand

That helped them safely to the land,

The interesting, bright career

( )t' half a score had ended here,

While others, showing better skill,

Contended with the current still,

And neither fear nor failing knew,

But gained the point they had in view.

Though much they may have needed rest

Where skill and strength had such a test,
They could not stop, or waters wide
At morning would the hand divide,
And weeks might pass around before
They 'd have a chance to meet once more.
So plunging in without delay
To anxious friends they worked their way.
Where arms were ready to enfold
With fond embrace the swimmers bold.

THE BROWNIES

IN EGYPT.

Tenth Stage.

ljjkgj(

Egypt next the wonders new
On every side attention drew.
Upon the Sphinx, the chief of all
The wonders there, they made a call,
And on the solemn
head they
found
A chance to dance
a merry
round.
The great

canal that
reaches
wide
Across the
country
soon they
spied,

THE BROWNIEH IN EGYPT,

And from a roof or neighboring 1 1 « • i l; 1 1 1
Looked on the seeno for liali' the ni-hl
Ami praised the enterprise of man
Win) such a wondrous scheme could plan.
Said one: "Art came with pick and spadi
And t bus a gap in nal lire made.
How many years and ages passed
Ere man devised a work so vast !

Still commerce sighed ^ssirP2-
from day to day

For some much needed 32§»31|li?*
wa 1 1 sr w ay, 7 ^'"~

rill M. de Lesseps planned a scheme

And brought the artificial stream

Whereon great ships can proudly rid
As when they plow the ocean tidi
Soon bearing home

their precious load
In safety by

the

shortest

road."

THE BROWNIES IN EGYPT.

More had their say, and praises laid

On those who planned and those who paid,

Until 't was time to turn and seek

For something else of which to speak.

On pyramids of slippery stones,

That kiiiers had hnilt to hold their hones

Till they would need
The active Brownies
Up step by step,
They struggled nim-
High on the peak
Enjoying free and
Commenting on the
They gained while
The daring band,
With wonders that
Found courage to
The dark interior
With torches to
They groped then
Sometimes they

their frame once more,

clambered o'er;

without a stop,

bly to the top.

for hours they sat,

friendly chat,

prospect fan*

perched so high in air.

not satisfied

appeared outside,

pass through a door,

to explore.

dispel the gloom

way from room to room ;

tumbled in a cell,

Sometimes across a mummy fell,
And by the mishap broke the crust
And scattered wide the sacred dust.
A hundred feet beneath the ground
The royal sepulchers were found,
Where safe beneath a massive lid
The monarchs lay for centuries hid,
Not troubled by the overflow
Of mighty rivers stretched below,

THE BROWNIES IN EGYPT,

Nor worried by the warlike horde

That from some neighboring country poured

Around the stone sarcophagus

Of some old kinic who had a muss,

No doubt, with prophets in his day,

At hide-and-seek they stopped to play.

Said one, as he with thoughtful mien

Looked round upon the somber scene:

" No better place could Brownies find

To hide away from humankind.

If we had time to study out

The statements chiseled all about,

You M find each casket is supplied

With tales about the one inside.

Perhaps he stood with shading hand

To watch his legions leave the land.

And shouted to them in his wrath

To follow in the Hebrews' path.

But waves that had been long controlled

By mighty power now inward rolled ;

With foaming crests they barred the way

Like lions leaping on their prey,

THE BBOWNIES IN EGYPT.

And giving in one generous dish

All Egypt's army to the fish.

The dust of kings alone is here,

From them we nothing have to fear,

Their days of tyranny are past,

Time suatched them from their thrones at last;
No more they '11 range from place to place
And subjugate a better race ;
No more impose a double task
When slaves or bondsmen mercy ask;
Say who shall live or who shall die,
Or who their treasury supply.
'T is well such creatures reach an end,
And these old rogues, I apprehend,
If I their picture-language know,
Had theirs four thousand years ago."

Upon an island in the Nile
The Brownies tarried for a while.
Among the ruins scattered round
A temple's colonnade they found,
And in hieroglyphics spread
The fate of poor Osiris read,

THE BROWNIES IN EGYPT.

And how he was embalmed with rare
By the kind goddess Isis fair.

k-ifcj V-

' .1

Cnstles old Rnd legends fender
Wkispef of n Uflflfsljed splendor,

THE

BROWNIES

IN ARABIA.

Eleventh Stage.

yP night, while straying

by the Nile,
The Brownies caught

a crocodile,
And through some

mystic sleight, I wot,
They charmed the

reptile on the spot,
Until it played upon

the sand,
Affording pleasure to

the band.
Then up and down

the bank it moved,
AVliile half the band

the chance improved,

THE BROWNIES IN' Ai; \i;i \.

All striving for a place to idde

Upon the creature's scaly hide.

They di'oye it there, they drove it here,

Without the slightest thoughl of fear.

\ HI J

7 mM,

51-.*

THE BROWNIES IN ARABIA.

It must have fared exceeding well,
Before iuto their power it fell,
And have devoured enough to last
It for a week without a fast,
Because it let them sport about
Iu easy reach of tail or snout,

And did no inward craving feel
To take some Brownies for a meal,
At length, while on the hank it lay,
With all the Brownies in full play,
It seemed at once to break the spell
That up till then had held it weU,
And be itself, with powers to rest,
Or go ahead, as pleased it best.
Without their leave it turned its head,
And started for the river's bed.
Soon down the steep incline it dashed,
And in the sluggish water splashed.
The Brownies had to jump the while,
Or find the bottom of the Nile.
Said one : " A bath befits the race
When one can choose the time and place ;
But I would rather run a year
Unwashed than take my swimming here,
With such companions as we M find
Beneath, of every shape and kind."
Another said : " We ll turn aside
And through Arabian deserts wide
Pursue our way, until we all
Can see the bird that stands so tall,

THE BROWNIES IN AH \i:i \.

/>*<.*,*« Cj

THE BROWNIES IN ARABIA.

And yields the plumes so rich and rare
And highly prized hy ladies fair."
So off they ran across the plain
With nimble feet, and not in vain.
An ostrich, that hy chance had strayed
Across their path, was prisoner made.

They chased it for an hour or so,
For he could run, as people know
Who have pursued the bird for gain
For leagues across a wide domain.
Sometimes he kept far in the van.
At times around his heels they ran,
Half blinded by the sand that rose
At every movement of his toes.
Again, some daring Brownies tried
Upon its legs to hang and ride.
Then some along the- ground were rolled,
But others, clinging, kept their hold.
Until, thus handicapped, at last
He tumbled, and they had him fast.

To ttiose ""bo earned It b»sf
of all .

Said one: " Sometimes a savage beast
Will pluck an ostrich for his feast,
And then these feathers, long and grand,
Are scattered freely on the sand;
But whosoever gives him chase
Must earn his breakfast by the race,
And has an appetite, no doubt,
Before the banquet is laid out,

THE BROWNIES IN ARABIA.

For this is something famed for speed,

A match for the Arabian steed,

When both a lively interest feel,

One spurred by fear, and one by steel."

Now, while some held it on the ground,

The other Brownies gathered round

And took such plumes as pleased them best

To cany as a handsome crest.

Said one : " Those folks can hardly thrive.

Who pluck their poultry while alive,

THE BROWNIES IN ARABIA.

And we may this exploit

regret
Before the morrow's sun

has set.
For many a one,

old dames have said,
Has tossed through night

a restless head,
The only sleepless one

in town,
Because on pillows made

of down,
That cruel fingers had

plucked loose
To music of the squawking

goose."
Another said : " The fact

is clear;
There is a tinge of mischief

here,

THE BROWNIES IN ARABIA.

Bui where such wondrous tufts exist
A few small feathers won't be missed,
'T is lucky for the bird that we
Are satisfied with two or three;
For if it fell in human hands,
He 'd soon go naked o'er the sands;
Or, if a beast such chance could find,
He M hardly leave the hones behind.*'

A novel spectacle they made
When thus in nodding plumes arrayed;
A foreign prince might well be proud
To be the poorest in the crowd,
And have his head appear so fair
With plumes that waved so high iu air.

(Jn arassy fields or plains of san.d
Goo3->]ature rules N;e Brownie bond

THE BROWNIES IN
GERMANY.

Twelfth Stage.

German Empire, firm arid strong,
The Brownies visited ere long ;
Its lovely rivers to behold,
And ramble through the castles old
That crumbling into ruins stand
On every peak or point of land.
To highest towers they tried to go
To view the country stretched below,
And as they climbed awaked the fears
Of owls and bats that there for years
In gloomy halls had moped and drowsed
Where dukes and barons once caroused.
And while the massive walls they scanned,
For prison and for palace planned,
They moralized on what they saw,
On ancient force and modern law.
Said one : "In days gone by, no doubt,
Through these old gates oft sallied out

104

THE BROWNIES IN OERMANY.

A plundering band, prepared to stock
Its larder from its neighbor's flock.
Then righl had little chance al all
[Jnless it owned the strongesl wall,
And justice did the prize bestow
On him who gave the hardest Mow/'
So thus the Brownies chatted still
While rambling through the place at will,
Enjoying sights on every side
So common in that country wide.

■EH -^'

J§5 -

M^vfek;^1: ^i-

fi&sdVPNB

They paused at Bingen on the Rhine,
Where fields were covered with the vine ;
Where, bending round the Niederwald,
The river to the ocean crawled,
And ancient castles, towering high
Along the banks, charmed every eve.

THE BROWNIES IN GERMANY.

Some stood reciting line by line

The poem so world-renowned and fine

About the soldier in Algiers,

Till half the band was moved to tears,

So sad, pathetic, and yet true

The poetess the picture drew.

At length, within a city proud

That holds the nation's greatest crowd,

They found a chance from some retreat

To gaze npon the leading street.

While marching downward, near at hand,
There passed a famous German band.
Said one : " These people, as yon know,
In every country like to blow ;
It may be clarionet or flute
Or trombone that they choose to toot,
But this is certain : they 're the boys
Who tramp ahead and make the noise.1'
Another said : " Come, let us find
Some instruments of every kind,
Both those that toot and those that squeal
And those that like an organ peal,
And also others large and round
That loudly ' rub-a-dub ! ' will soimd.
We '11 bear them to a distant grove
Where prying people seldom rove ;
And then we '11 practise at the tunes
On fiddles, haut-boys, and bassoons,
Until we charm the birds of air
With music rightly rendered there."

106

THE BROWNIES IN GERMANY.

Aiiui her cried : " Yon may, indeed,
On me depend to take the Lead.
A I housand airs I understand,
Willi all their variations grand,
Thai lead you off, as if astray.
Prom what you first commenced to ]>
I '11 blow the horn and draw the how
And how to beat the drum J '11 show
So those who have the dullest ear
For music cannot help but hear,
And learn to love it as they should
If they are capable of good."
This was enough for one and all ;
That night they ran and made a haul.
The store was bolted like a cell.
But they got in, and out, as well,
Each hearing off as he professed,
The instrument he liked the best.
Soon some were much surprised to find
Their mouths for horns were not designed.
And some had fingers far too set
For either flute or clarionet.
But after changing round, I wis,
An hour or so, from that to this,
To rightly suit the mouth and hand
Of every member of the hand,
They were in readiness at last,
With everything in order classed :
The fiddle tuned to match the tone
Of something with a kindred drone,

THE BKOWNIES EN CEKMANY.

^SS£^^&j-

And drummers knowing well the spot

Where they might hang away or not.

The cunning Brownies with delight

In greatest efforts did unite.

They shook the leaves on tree and vine,

As loud they played " Die Waeht am Bhein."

The hymn to liberty, so dear

To sons of Prance, charmed every ear;

The march that lifts the Briton's heart

When duty calls and friends must part ;

The "Bonnie Doon" and " Grarry Owen"

In turn, by kind request, were blown.

Nor was the Western world forgot :

The airs that cheered the patriot,

THE BROWNIES IN GERMANY.

When in his ( 'mil inenta] suil

He dared the monarch's claims dispute,

Were given with an extra blare,

I n honor of ( iolumbia fail*.

At times they marched in single line,

Al times in clusters would combine,

With arm in arm and toe to heel,

And scarcely room enough to wheel.

Too soon that pleasant nighl went by,

And stars began to leave the sky.

So Brownies had no time to spare

When they returned with proper care

The fiddles, drums, and horns once more

Where they had found them hours before.

To other points that hold a place

In history, they took a race.

Upon the field of Waterloo

No rest the cunning Brownies kuew

Until their lively feet could gain

Each acre of the famous plain.

They paused where from his charger white

Napoleon viewed the doubtful fight

And urged his legions on to dare

The dangers of the bristling square.

Thev stood where Wellington was found.

While thickest
Encouraging his
To firmly stand.

carnage strewed the ground.
men. like rock
to bide the shock.

THE BROWNIES IN
SWITZERLAND.

Thikteenth Stage.

Switzerland the mountains high.,

That seemed to blend the earth and sky,

Delighted all the Brownie band;

And oft they tried, with foot and hand,

To scale the rugged cliffs around

Until the highest peak was found.

It mattered not that ice and snow

Made travel dangerous and slow.

Said one : " Where'er the foot of man
Has found a rest, a Brownie's can.
I know the way that men set out,
With pointed staffs to prod about
And feel their way when storms arise
That almost blind their straining eyes.
We '11 do the same, and ropes we '11 take
To tie ourselves for safety's sake,
So should one fall, as fall he may,
The others can his tumble stay."
no

flWn-

THE BROWNIES IN SWITZERLAND.

Thus well prepared for greatesl heighi
They climbed tin- Matterhorn one night.
Svj Some by ;i rope were wel] combined,

* So each could prompl assistance find,
In case a Brownie failed to keep
His footing <>n the windy steep.
For hours they sealed the mountain-side.
Still climbing on without a guide;
But as some higher point appeared
For this at once the Brownies steered.

Said one: "No guiding hand we need

While we have courage to proceed

And eyes to see the summit hare

That still is high aboye us there;

So, without halting, up we '11 go

Until we leave the clouds helow.
We '11 surely know enough to stop
When we at last
Thus chatting free-
Resolved to make

Now toiling up as
Now slipping back,
Now helping others

have reached the
ly on they went,
the bold ascent.
best they could,
as if for good,
to a shelf.

top.*'

Now very much concerned for self,
While clouds of snow around them rolled
<if And sharper grew the luting cold.

Once, as a dangerous point they passed.

So sudden came the icy blast.

In spite of all the care they showed

It blew a number from the road,

111

THE BROWNIES IN SWITZERLAND.

To twirl them wildly through

the air
And keep them dangling

helpless there,
While those who still

a footing found
Clung to the rope that

swayed around,
Until, with mighty tug

and strain,
The party could their

place regain.
At times, when dangers ,11

thus assailed, /MM

The courage of
some
Brownie failed,
And one declared ■ *=$ ■

<Sp7$? $ mill

't would take „>^ . jj''
a week
To carry out
their crazy
freak,
And thought
they should at (J^p
once retire ^||

And warm "rw * I fllr ' ' ™

themselves ^»-*« ■'■'
around C^IMPf1

a fire. £pP

112

THE BROWNIES IN SWITZERLAND.

Saul he: "Tlit' glory we would gain

I!' we at lasl the cresl attain.

Would hardly, my ambitious friends,

Pot lost companions make amends."

Another said: "Your paling fare
Is not becoming to your race.
Shall we, who dared the raging sea
Upon a raft, now thwarted be,

Because the mountain here enshrouds

Its head in dark and theatening clouds !

My friend, where'er the human kind

Have set their feet, I am inclined

To think we, too, that snot can win,

Or else decline is setting in.

Oiu* usefulness is surely passed

If we must turn from icy blast ;

Our courage must he ebbing low

If we 're afraid of drifting snow;

Our enterprise is getting weak

If we can't find a mountain peak.

If mystic power must go for naught
When we 're in face of trials brought,
We might as well give others room
And start at once to build our tomb."

Thus braver spirits cheered the rest

And pointed to the glittering crest

On which, ere long, they all could stand

If courage would uphold the band.

Those who have marked the Brownies' way

And perseverance day by day

THE BROWNIES IN SWITZERLAND.

Will know that on the top at length
The Brownies stood in all their strength,
And gazed upon the world helow
That formed a panorama show.
And paid them well, as they declared,
For all the dangers they had dared.
Once in their midnight rambling round
The Lion of Lucerne they found
That 's chiseled from the mountain hard
In memory of the brave Swiss Guard
That struggling for the Bourbon well
In his defense all fighting fell.
The Brownies next set out to view
Lake Leman's tide so deep and blue,

/VmS« L"i'

The wave-washed walls they gazed upon
That held the Prisoner of Chillon
So many years, while by his side
In fetters fast his

brothers died.
They boldly ventured

down the stair
To see the chains he

used to wear,

114

THE BROWNIES IN SWITZERLAND.

And mark the narrow dungeon's bound
In which al last he moved around ;
They paced it hack and Eorth to find
To whal a vault he was consigned,
And thoughl how well the poet's pen
Mas made his sufferings known to men.
The narrow window they surveyed
To which the bird its visit paid,

,.f As if to try with vocal

] lowers

To cheer him through the

gloomy hours.
With sympathetic feelings

kind.

Before they left the cell
behind,
They scrawled his name upon the wall,
His long imprisonment and all.
And passed a vote of censure strong
Upon the prince who did the wrong.

Sh'llotl/.rcJUitr,,, n,.r ^ l,»qd

./Unit ll,e coming o/ «,t bnnd.

THE BROWNIES IN

HOLLAND.

Fifteenth Stage.

winter season worked around
Before the Brownies Holland found.
They traveled half-way through the land
On skates, a free and happy hand.
At times a dike would be their road,
At times a meadow overflowed, jy

Then up a river they

would train
Until it

narrowed

to a drain,
Compelling

them to

walk awhile
Until more

ice would

make them

smile.

THE BROWNIES IN HOLLAND.

hI mistake a few
ream, as people do

ii tnrougn a

W'nit in the

Who sometimes overestimai
The strength of Lee beneath the skate,
Their comrades would not Leave them there,
But every risk and danger share
With willing hand and courage good,
Till every one' in safety stood.
While in that country moving round,
Commenting on the sights they found,
They paused to stare with wondering eyes
Upon a windmill large of size.

Said one : " This turned in days gone by
To grind the farmer's wdieat and rye,
But disconnected now with stone,
Or working-gear, it stands alone,
Affording shelter to the mice
When winter coats the land with ice,"
At length some daring ones began
To climb the mill, and boldly ran
Upon the roof, then, worst of all,
Upon the vanes to freely crawl.
Until one half the Brownies there
Had found a place to perch in air.
'T is strange, indeed, how storms can rise
As though at once from cloudless skies ;
'T is strange how scpialls capsize the boat
Just when it seemed to safest float ;
And strange how soon, through groaning trees,
There came that night a sweeping breeze,

THE BBOWNIES IN HOLLAND.

And struck with force that ancient mill
That had for years heen standing still,
Nor turned a sail nor made a pound
Of flour for the people round.

No one was more surprised, no douht,
In all the country thereabout

Than were those
Brownies,

grave or gay,
Who to the vanes
had found their
way.
And now they learned
to their regret,
The mill had life

within it yet.
They had small

choice of what
to do
As round
and round
it wildly
flew,
They

simply
had to he
content
To travel
- ■■^3w&'- p*^« % with it

as it went.

THE BROWNIES IN HOLLAND.

It did not prove a simple gust,
To bend the grass and hurl the <lust,
Hut such a wind as rends the ash
Ami brings the steeple with a crash.

And though the rust had time to spoil
The journals that now screeched for oil,
As it' complaining at the part
They played against all rules of art,
The mill did greater stir display
That hour than in its perfect day.
And had there been some "Tain inside,
The town would soon have been supplied
With Hour from the smoking stones,
That turned within with creaks and groan
But Brownies, as before was told,
Are not the kind that lose their hold,
And so through all their circling trip
But few, if any, lost their grip,
And even when the vanes gave out —
And some soon did, and flew about
In wild career before the blast —
The Brownies still were clinging fast,
And though they suffered many a shake
They reached the ground without a break.
Then one remarked : " I think 't is time
We traveled to some other clime."

We must trauel ^~~^k Oth-r coiuitWes
come ulmt may ^Tl53H to survey.

THE BROWNIES

IN RUSSIA.

Sixteenth Stage.

Russian ground no lengthy stay
The Brownies made to work or play.
Said one: "If we had not to go
Across this country, as you know.
While circling the terrestrial ball
We 'd hardly give the place a call.
From poorest peasant up to peer
There \s too much secret plotting here,
Too many mines and bombs concealed
In city, village, road, and field.
'T is hardly safe to touch a brier
Or twig, lest it should wake a fire
That would not leave a foot or hand
Or head intact of all the band.
However dark may be the night
A sentinel will pop in sight
So we 're compelled to hide away
Through hours of night as well as day.
They stand on guard o'er mill and mine
O'er bridges, boats, and pipes of wine.

THE BROWNIES IN' RUSSIA.

Sonic stand to guard the ruler's bed,
More watch his baker make the bread,
For fear some poison be mighl throw
Willi vengeful band amid the dough;
More watch the chemist while he tries -.
The coffee thai the cools supplies;
The horse is guarded oh all sides
On which the Czar at morning rides,
For fear they 'd deck it well at night
With cartridges of dynamite
To scatter liim around the street
The moment that he takes his seat."

1 '«r. ■

- -.-'e^ hJ -0i.

iSef&S^^-l§

«&?s

rr1

, .'ViK-'v-

' fAlHEt CO*.

At times up to the ears in snow
They struggled through a valley low,
And only that the hand possessed
Endurance equal to the hest,
Some place like that to-day would hold
The hones of every Brownie bold.
Of Moscow, as they hurried through

The land, the Brownies gained a view.
121

THE BROWNIES IN RUSSIA.

W^t,!#mWjW!imf' % «•< -! ": "SIM m j;|l I

There on a bridge the wondering band
Before the Kremlin paused to stand

THE BROWNIES l\ Rl ssi \.

And mark the many-
towered pile
That glowed in Oriental

style.
Once while they crossed

a lonely waste
A pack of wolves the

Brownies chased,
For miles and miles, well

was their need,
They scampered at their

highest speed
Through broken ground

of every kind
And still coidd hear the

howls behind.
Now sinking to a muffled

wail.
Now rising louder on

the gale,
Until the frosty hills

around
Gave answer to the awful sound

123

THE BROWNIES IN RUSSIA.

Let your home be wliere

(twill
You'll find uork before
_you still.

But as the pack with bristling hair

And open mouths and fiery glare,

Above a snowy ridge appeared,

A friendly tree the Brownies neared,

For this they ran, and well they might

With half a hundred wolves in sight,

Each brute prepared to stow away

A breakfast with but small delay.

But ere they reached the tree in view

The howling terrors closer drew

With bristling backs and clashing jaws,

Bright flashing eyes and nimble paws,

But, though they skirmished left and right

At closest range they failed to bite

As if the cunning rogues surmised

A mystic prey they had surprised
Of quite a different form and caste
From those they had devoured last.
Meanwhile the Brownies ne'er forgot
The tree that graced that lonely spot,
And kept alive and in the race
Until they reached its rugged base.
The hugging, climbing, scratching now,
As each one sought to gain a bough,
Might bring a smile to every face
Had this not been a serious case,
That did in greatest manner plead
For mystic exercise indeed.
If that old tree, that long had grown
Upon the frozen plain alone,

THE BROWNIES IN RUSSIA.

' '■■''■"'■:r>

Had been designed with special care
To meet the need of Brownies there,
It hardly could be better planned
In fitness for the lively band.
Through all that night with hungry eyes
The wolves sat glaring at the prize,

THE BROWNIES IN RUSSIA.

Iii hopes some branch would snap at last
With overweight, or else a blast
Might shake a shower from the tree
That patience might rewarded be.
At length, as night her mantle rent,
The wolves appeared to catch the scent
Of something on a distant hill
That seemed to promise better still ;

So in a trice the siege was raised,
And all the Brownies, much amazed,
Descended from the tree in haste
And made their way across the waste.

(aroff

rilK BROWNIES IN CHINA

(Sixteenth Stage.

THROUGH many trials hard to face

The Brownies moved from place to place,
Now camping on some dreary wild,
Now in some village domiciled,
In waiting till a better chance
Was offered for a safe advance,
Until before their wondering eyes
They saw the strange pagodas rise,
And saw the wall built long ago
To keep aloof a plundering foe,
And then they knew not far away
The "Flowery Kingdom" smiling lay.

Without a ladder, rope, or line,
Or aught except a clinging vine,
To aid them in their steep ascent.
Upon the wall the Brownies went.
Said one : " 'T is here this very hour
We show indeed superior power.

127

THE BEOWNTES IN CHINA.

This wall that kept the Tatars cmt
Two thousand years, or thereabout,
Has failed to keep the Brownie band
For fifteen minutes from the land."
The Brownies many wonders found
While through that empire roaming round.
'T was large enough to let them range
Through fertile plains and cities strange
For weeks and months, and still pursue
Their way through scenes and wonders new.
Said one : " The oldest country spread
Upon the world we Brownies tread;
Great nations rose and swept away
Then neighbors' lines, and had then day,
Then crumbled to a final fall,
But this old empire lived through all.
Three thousand years have left no trace
Upon the customs of the race;
Still eating rice and drinking tea,
Behind their wall from trouble free,
They live content to he alone
Among then shrines of wood and stone."

128

CHE BROWNIES IN CHINA.

Another said : " 'T is well thai they
Are qo1 inclined from home 1" stray,
~or if 1 lie sea 1 bey venl ui'e o'er
tey 111 find small welcome al the shore.'1
The Brownies climbed the towers grand
That are so common in the land,
And freely did their views exchange
About the architecture strange.
Said one: "Not often do we find
A place where builders are so kind.

Here shelves abound where one can stop
And rest while chmbing to the top:
By easy stages we can rise
Mjp^f ] $n And view the land that round us lies,
' WSgSuBaR And what seemed like a trying task
Is sport as good as one could ask.
^\^^A&^ No slippery spire of tin or slate,

e— •$&'> To which we have to trust our weight,
We here encounter as we go
But wood that suits

both baud and toe,
And they must be but

common people
Who lose their hold on

such a steeple,"
At times too many
rushed to
view
An object that

attention drew,

THE BROWNIES IN CHINA.

And then the odd-shaped roof would
Or yield, and with its load descend,
And only mystic powers could save
The Brownies from an early grave.
It has to he a fearful squall,
It has to he a stunning fall,
It needs must he a wild affair
In shape of beast, or bird of air
That can subdue the lively band,
Or bring then actions to a stand.
Oh, could we mortals, toiling here
Upon this fast-revolving sphere,
Like them surmount the greatest ill
And bravely face the music still,
We might do many things I trow
We '11 leave unfinished when we go !
Not often strangers penetrate
Into that country old and great,
And when they do some years go by
While they one half its wonders spy,
So do not marvel that the band
Were some weeks passhig through the land,
And oft were prompted to declare
It paid them well to journey there.

bend

to bear
irj njlr)d.

I fjose w);o
trauel far

EE BROWNIES IX JAPAN.

Seventeenth Stage.

course of time the Brownies found
Themselves on the Mikado's ground,
Where, though the natives seemed to be
Enlightened in a small degree
Above their neighbors, soon "t was known
They had strange notions of their own,
And Brownies saw, to their regret,
The people were in darkness yet.

While through the country, strange and vast,
The active band of Brownies passed,
From town to town, o'er many a mile
They traveled in the native style,

THE BROWNIES IN JAPAN.

Some members riding there in state,
More bending down beneath the weight,
As up and down the lengthy road
They struggled with their heavy load.
But oft, as onward still, they ranged,
The situations would be changed,
And thus by many a shifting scene
All tried both ways the palanquin.

PAL-nen Cox

Again with parasols they 'd go

Along the road a lengthy row,

In imitation of the way

The people guard their heads by day,

And with their fans whene'er they please

Create an artificial breeze.

Sometimes they traveled through the land

With lanterns swinging in each hand,

To light them through a dangerous ground

Where trouble nught their path surround.

At times they halted in surprise

Before an idol of large size,

And sometimes Brownies were not slow

Upon the towering form to go.

Ill I : BKOWNIES IN JAPAN.

Some <m the
Ami some
Ami wondered

lands or shoulders gol

>ed in the incense pot,
where the herhs
j^" were found

ueh stifling
odors round :

wmmYmm

'i,"

1,1/

1111%

^^fc^S.^-Jg^^^M^E^^^^

hilliMM

MUIW UHP iUHIWUHl

THE BROWNIES IN JAPAN.

More talked about the wretched state
Of people, howsoever great,
Who pin their faith upon a toy
That wind and weather can destroy.
Said one: " 'T is painful to behold
At every turn these idols old,
Though dumb they sit, a tale they te
That thoughtful minds may ponder weU ;
They hint of millions, strong of will,
Who blindly grope in error still ;
There 's work for pen and preachers too
Before the Christians' task is through,
For many a purse its mite must yield
And many a teacher take the field,
And many a stubborn knee must bend,
And many an earnest prayer ascend
Ere every idol in this place
Has tumbled headlong from its base."
Thus moralizing as they ran
The Brownies traveled through Japan,
In the Mikado's gardens strayed
Where flowers bloomed and fountains played,
While mirror lakes and well-tilled ground
Formed pictures fair for miles around.

Nolo ujell tal^e Hje road orjee n\ore
Orl]er regions to explore.

THE BROWNIES IN THE

POLAR REGIONS

Eighteenth Stage.

on their homeward way at last
The Brownies through wild regions passed,
Where Ice was piled and breezes blew
That baffled many a daring crew.
Bnt Brownies, brave in every clime,
Pushed on, nor lost one moment's time.
Fresh from the sunny Land of Tea
They tramped across a frozen sea,
Where fish to few temptations rise,
And have small practice catching flies.

Said one: "This land of northern lights

And shooting stars and lengthy nights

Of which explorers often rave.

Or dream about the icy wave

That lies around the Pole so vast,

Where no one yet has anchor cast.

Is, after all, scarce worth the cost

Of noble lives that still are lost

As expeditions strive in vain

From year to year this point to gain.

THE BROWNIES IN THE POLAK REGIONS.

But still the time will come, no doubt,

"When men will find all secrets out

And feast their eyes upon this sea

So quickly found by you and me.

We need no map, nor chart, nor plan,

Because not limited, like man,

To knowledge passed from hand to hand;

Through ages long, the Brownie band,

In ways peculiar to the race

With all requirements keep pace."

Reviewing thus the region cold

That has such wonders to unfold

In icy island, gulf, and bay,

That maps may show some later day,

The Brownies various methods tried

By which, to cross the country wide ;

They turned to use whate'er they found

To aid them as they journeyed round.

The cunning band some dogs secured,

To cold and hardship well inured,

And on rude sledges void of art,

In which large skins played leading part,

They traveled over many a plain

That bold explorers sought in vain ;

While others had the luck to find

Some reindeer of the strongest kind,

That could be trusted to proceed

O'er roughest ground at greatest speed.

In different ways the hardy deer

Was made to render service here;

136

Till: HKoUNII'.s IN Till'. I'ol.AK REGIONS.

il tlje coldest land

.you'll find
Hearts are offer) ojArni
o n cl k i n d .

Would find themselves through joll or twist
A mile behind ere they were missed.
Bu1 do tiol think the band would press
Ahead and leave them in distress —
X<>; quick as they could bring about
A halt, they'd answer to the shout
Of those who for a time were placed
Alone upon the dreary waste.
For brothers from one truudle-hed,
Who at one disli have broken bread
Before a proud and loving mother.
Are not more prompt to aid each other
Than are the Brownies to assist
The poorest member on the list.
Thus on they went o'er plain and hill
Without a thought of change until
They reached a milder clime that gave
More freedom to that northern wave.
On cakes of ice that floated free
The Brownies then put out to sea.
To cross a gulf or open bay
That in the line of travel lay.
Said one: '"We've been on boats before,
And on a raft two weeks or more.
With only slippery logs to keep
Us from the monsters of the deep,
And thought the trials falling fast
Around us ne'er could be surpassed,
But when one comes to take a trip
Upon an iceberg for a ship.

THE BROWNIES IN THE POLAR REGIONS.

That neither has a rudder stout
Nor spreading sail to help him out,
But drifts at random to and fro
Whichever way the tide may go,
He '11 not be anxious to extend
His pleasure-trip, you may depend."

-=a^=

«CoX

Then heaving up through holes in ice
Would rise the walrus in a trice,
And fill each Brownie's heart with fear
That happened to he beating near.
Sometimes a bear that thought to make
A landing on a floating cake,
Would start at once a tumult great
And cause the band to emigrate
Without delay to some new place
In hopes to shun his close embrace.
Thus dangers at each step they found
While through that region floating round
They had good use for ears and eyes
And nimble feet, you may surmise,
But where so many heroes go
To find a winding-sheet of snow,

THE BROWNIES IN THE POLAR REGIONS.'

And icy caskel that will last
Until the resurrection blast,
The Brownies hardly could expecl
To find their way with roses decked.

JKTOMIT^^

Will....

' AiL^IEH, COX

Sometimes surprises of a kind
Quite different would stir the mind:
A ship, abandoned by its crew
Long years before, would come in view;
< hi tins the Brownies were not slow-
To climb about, their skill to show,

141

THE BROWNIES IN TEE T'OEAE REGIONS.

Or strive to study out with care
What expedition left it there.
At length against the darkened skies
They saw rough Mount Yerstova rise,
Clad in its robes of white and gray
And overlooking Sitka Bay,

142

THE BROWNIES IN THE POLAH REGIONS.

And then ;i town appeared in sighl
On which they gazed with greal delight,
For o'er l he wooden cast le old
A Wanner brighl a story told

< >r ownership,

that all the
hand
Were sharp
enough to
understand.
An eagle with its

pinions wide
Was hovering o'er
their nation's
pride,

And on the instant such a note
Of joy as swelled each Brownie's throat
Because they had been spared to stand
Once more upon the glorious land
From which they bravely started out
To travel all the world about.

So there, while high the flag of red
And white and blue waved overhead,
In songs of praise the band combined.
And then one Brownie spoke his mind :
"Through dangers that came thick and fast
The Brownies round the world have passed.
Contending with misfortunes still
And overcoming every ill,

143

THE BE0WN3ES IN THE POLAR REGIONS.

sgrouiirij! spare
p wity jireAfer care

Thus teaching lessons day by day
That may be useful in their way."

Dear reader, now the task is through.
But ere we part, a word to you —
Yes, you who traveled hand in hand
AVith me to watch the Brownie band.
And listened with attentive ear
The prattling of the rogues to hear,
And patiently surveyed the lines
The pen has traced in these designs, —
May you prove always stanch and true
To comrades, and to neighbors, too.
Be brave when trials fast descend,
And persevering to the end,
And, Brownie-like, you may be blessed-
They seldom fail who do their best.

V/cHi afnjnelly ^ovs of I?<inc1.
/Vow re tires rl;el3rouJni'e band ,

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "The brownies around the world"

See other formats