Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_GARDEN" id="THE_BROWNIES_GARDEN"></SPAN>THE BROWNIES' GARDEN.</h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i038c.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="77" alt="O" class="alignleftg" /> </span> <div class="i9"> &nbsp; &nbsp;<span class="smcapa">NE</span> night, as spring began to show</div> <div class="i10">In buds above and blades below,</div> <div class="i10">The Brownies reached a garden square</div> <div class="i10">That seemed in need of proper care.</div> <div class="i10">Said one, "Neglected ground like this</div> <div class="i10">Must argue some one most remiss,</div> <div class="i10">Or beds and paths would here be found</div> <div class="i10">Instead of rubbish scattered round.</div> <div class="i10">Old staves, and boots, and woolen strings,</div> <div class="i10">With bottles, bones, and wire-springs,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i038d.jpg" width-obs="160" height-obs="160" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i0">Are quite unsightly things to see</div> <div class="i0">Where tender plants should sprouting be.</div> <div class="i0">This work must be progressing soon,</div> <div class="i0">If blossoms are to smile in June."</div> <div class="i0">A second said, "Let all give heed:</div> <div class="i0">On me depend to find the seed.</div> <div class="i0">For, thanks to my foreseeing mind,</div> <div class="i0">To merchants' goods we're not confined.</div> <div class="i0">Last autumn, when the leaves grew sere</div> <div class="i0">And birds sought regions less severe,</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i039.jpg" width-obs="391" height-obs="450" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i10">One night through gardens fair I sped,</div> <div class="i10">And gathered seeds from every bed;</div> <div class="i10">Then placed them in a hollow tree,</div> <div class="i10">Where still they rest. So trust to me</div> <div class="i10">To bring supplies, while you prepare</div> <div class="i10">The mellow garden-soil with care."</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i040.jpg" width-obs="423" height-obs="450" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i10">Another cried, "While some one goes</div> <div class="i10">To find the shovels, rakes, and hoes,</div> <div class="i10">That in the sheds are stowed away,</div> <div class="i10">We'll use this plow as best we may.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</SPAN></span> <div class="i10">Our arms, united at the chain,</div> <div class="i10">Will not be exercised in vain,</div> <div class="i10">But, as if colts were in the trace,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i041b.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="114" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i0">We'll make it dance around the place.</div> <div class="i0">I know how deep the share should go,</div> <div class="i0">And how the sods to overthrow.</div> <div class="i0">So not a patch of ground the size</div> <div class="i0">Of this old cap, when flat it lies,</div> <div class="i0">But shall attentive care receive,</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i041a.jpg" width-obs="200" height-obs="188" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i13">And be improved before we leave."</div> <div class="i13">Then some to guide the plow began,</div> <div class="i13">Others the walks and beds to plan.</div> <div class="i13">And soon they gazed with anxious eyes</div> <div class="i13">For those who ran for seed-supplies.</div> <div class="i13">But, when they came, one had his say,</div> <div class="i13">And thus explained the long delay:</div> <div class="i13">"A woodchuck in the tree had made</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i041c.jpg" width-obs="200" height-obs="223" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i13">His bed just where the seeds were laid.</div> <div class="i13">We wasted half an hour at least</div> <div class="i13">In striving to dislodge the beast;</div> <div class="i9">Until at length he turned around,</div> <div class="i9">Then, quick as thought, without a sound,</div> <div class="i9">And ere he had his bearings got,</div> <div class="i9">The rogue was half across the lot."</div> <div class="i0">Then seed was sown in various styles,</div> <div class="i0">In circles, squares, and single files;</div> <div class="i0">While here and there, in central parts,</div> <div class="i0">They fashioned diamonds, stars, and hearts,</div> <div class="i0">Some using rake, some plying hoe,</div> <div class="i0">Some making holes where seed should go;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i042a.jpg" width-obs="140" height-obs="134" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i9">While some laid garden tools aside</div> <div class="i9">And to the soil their hands applied.</div> <div class="i9">To stakes and racks more were assigned,</div> <div class="i9">That climbing-vines support might find.</div> <div class="i9">Cried one, "Here, side by side, will stand</div> <div class="i9">The fairest flowers in the land.</div> <div class="i9">The thrifty bees for miles around</div> <div class="i9">Ere long will seek this plot of ground,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i042b.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="128" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i9">And be surprised to find each morn</div> <div class="i9">New blossoms do each bed adorn.</div> <div class="i9">And in their own peculiar screed</div> <div class="i9">Will bless the hands that sowed the seed."</div> <div class="i9">And while that night they labored there,</div> <div class="i9">The cunning rogues had taken care</div> <div class="i9">With sticks and strings to nicely frame</div> <div class="i9">In line the letters of their name.</div> <div class="i9">That when came round the proper time</div> <div class="i9">For plants to leaf and vines to climb,</div> <div class="i9">The Brownies would remembered be,</div> <div class="i9">If people there had eyes to see.</div> <div class="i9">But morning broke (as break it will</div> <div class="i9">Though one's awake or sleeping still),</div> <div class="i9">And then the seeds on every side</div> <div class="i9">The hurried Brownies scattered wide.</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i042c.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="132" alt="BROWNIE" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i043a.jpg" width-obs="129" height-obs="150" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i043b.jpg" width-obs="210" height-obs="109" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i9">Along the road and through the lane</div> <div class="i9">They pattered on the ground like rain,</div> <div class="i9">Where Brownies, as away they flew,</div> <div class="i9">Both right and left full handfuls threw,</div> <div class="i9">And children often halted there</div> <div class="i9">To pick the blossoms, sweet and fair,</div> <div class="i9">That sprung like daisies from the mead</div> <div class="i9">Where fleeing Brownies flung the seed.</div> </div></div> </div> <hr class="chap" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />