Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_SWIMMING" id="THE_BROWNIES_SWIMMING"></SPAN>THE BROWNIES IN<br/> <span class="mleft15">THE SWIMMING-SCHOOL.</span></h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i046c.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="89" alt="W" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i0">&nbsp;</div> <div class="i9"> &nbsp; &nbsp;<span class="smcapa">HILE</span> Brownies passed along the street,</div> <div class="i10">Commenting on the summer's heat</div> <div class="i10">That wrapped the city day and night,</div> <div class="i10">A swimming-bath appeared in sight.</div> <div class="i10">Said one: "Of all the sights we've found,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i046d.jpg" width-obs="106" height-obs="120" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i10">Since we commenced to ramble round,</div> <div class="i10">This seems to better suit the band</div> <div class="i0">Than anything, however grand.</div> <div class="i0">We'll rest awhile and find our way</div> <div class="i0">Inside the place without delay,</div> <div class="i0">And those who understand the art,</div> <div class="i0">Can knowledge to the rest impart;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i047a.jpg" width-obs="180" height-obs="120" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i12">For every one should able be,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i047b.jpg" width-obs="92" height-obs="280" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i12">To swim, in river, lake, or sea.</div> <div class="i12">We never know how soon we may,</div> <div class="i12">See some one sinking in dismay,&mdash;</div> <div class="i12">And then, to have the power to save</div> <div class="i12">A comrade from a watery grave,</div> <div class="i12">Will be a blessing sure to give</div> <div class="i12">Us joy the longest day we live."</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i0">The doors soon opened through the power</div> <div class="i0">That lay in Brownie hands that hour.</div> <div class="i0">When once within the fun began,</div> <div class="i0">As here and there they quickly ran;</div> <div class="i0">Some up the stairs made haste to go,</div> <div class="i0">Some into dressing-rooms below,</div> <div class="i0">In bathing-trunks to reappear</div> <div class="i0">And plunge into the water clear;</div> <div class="i0">Some from the spring-board leaping fair</div> <div class="i0">Would turn a somersault in air;</div> <div class="i0">More to the bottom like a stone,</div> <div class="i0">Would sink as soon as left alone,</div> <div class="i0">While others after trial brief</div> <div class="i0">Could float as buoyant as a leaf.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i047c.jpg" width-obs="175" height-obs="100" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i12">Some all their time to others gave</div> <div class="i12">Assisting them to ride the wave,</div> <div class="i12">Explaining how to catch the trick,</div> <div class="i12">Both how to strike and how to kick;</div> <div class="i12">And still keep nose above the tide,</div> <div class="i12">That lungs with air might be supplied.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i048a.jpg" width-obs="560" height-obs="402" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i10">Thus diving in and climbing out,</div> <div class="i10">Or splashing round with laugh and shout,</div> <div class="i10">The happy band in water played</div> <div class="i10">As long as Night her scepter swayed.</div> <div class="i10">They heard the clocks in chapel towers</div> <div class="i10">Proclaim the swiftly passing hours.</div> <div class="i10">But when the sun looked from his bed</div> <div class="i10">To tint the eastern sky with red,</div> <div class="i10">In haste the frightened Brownies threw</div> <div class="i10">Their clothes about them and withdrew.</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i048b.jpg" width-obs="200" height-obs="122" alt="" class="aligncenter" /></div> </div></div> <hr class="chap" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</SPAN></span></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />