Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_DANCING_SCHOOL" id="THE_BROWNIES_DANCING_SCHOOL"></SPAN><ANTIMG src="images/i060e.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="96" alt="" />THE BROWNIES' DANCING-SCHOOL.</h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i060f.jpg" width-obs="62" height-obs="120" alt="W" class="alignlefta" /> </span> <div class="i4"><span class="smcapa">HEN</span> flitting bats commenced to wheel</div> <div class="i4">Around the eaves to find their meal,</div> <div class="i4">And owls to hoot in forests wide,</div> <div class="i4">To call their owlets to their side,</div> <div class="i4">The Brownie Band, in full array,</div> <div class="i4">Through silent streets pursued their way.</div> <div class="i4">But as they neared a building high,</div> <div class="i4">Surprise was shown in every eye.</div> <div class="i4">They heard the strains of music sweet,</div> <div class="i4">And tripping of the dancers' feet;</div> <div class="i4">While o'er the tap of heel and toe,</div> <div class="i4">The twang of harp and scrape of bow,</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</SPAN></span> <div class="i4">Arose the clear and ringing call</div> <div class="i4">Of those who had control of all.</div> <div class="i4">The Brownies slackened their swift pace,</div> <div class="i4">Then gathered closely round the place,</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i061.jpg" width-obs="470" height-obs="550" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i062a.jpg" width-obs="560" height-obs="119" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i6">To study out some way to win</div> <div class="i6">A peep or two at those within.</div> <div class="i6">Said one: "In matters of this kind</div> <div class="i6">Opinions differ, you will find.</div> <div class="i6">And some might say, with sober thought,</div> <div class="i6">That children should not thus be taught</div> <div class="i6">To hop around on toe and heel</div> <div class="i6">So actively to fiddle's squeal,</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i062b.jpg" width-obs="110" height-obs="91" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i8">For fear 'twould turn their minds away</div> <div class="i8">From graver duties of the day."</div> <div class="i8">Another said: "The dancing art</div> <div class="i8">Doth ease to every move impart.</div> <div class="i8">It gives alike to city-bred</div> <div class="i8">And country-born a graceful tread,</div> <div class="i6">And helps them bear themselves along</div> <div class="i6">Without offense in greatest throng.</div> <div class="i2">The nimble step, the springing knee,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i062c.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="171" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i2">And balanced body all agree.</div> <div class="i2">The feet, my friends, may glide with grace</div> <div class="i2">As well as trudge from place to place.</div> <div class="i2">And in the parlor or without</div> <div class="i2">They best can stand or walk about</div> <div class="i2">Who found in early life a chance</div> <div class="i2">To mingle in the sprightly dance."</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</SPAN></span> <div class="i2">The Brownies need no ladders long,</div> <div class="i2">No hoists, nor elevators strong,</div> <div class="i2">To lift them to an upper flight,</div> <div class="i2">A window-sill, or transom light.</div> <div class="i2">The weather-vane upon the spire,</div> <div class="i2">That overlooks the town entire,</div> <div class="i2">Is not too high above the base</div> <div class="i2">If fancy leads them to the place.</div> <div class="i2">'Tis said the very fleecy clouds</div> <div class="i2">They can bestride in eager crowds,</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i063a.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="143" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i2">Around the world their way to find,</div> <div class="i2">And leave the lagging winds behind.</div> <div class="i2">Said one: "We've scaled the dizzy heights</div> <div class="i2">Of mountain-peaks on other nights,</div> <div class="i2">And crossed the stream from shore to shore</div> <div class="i2">Where but the string-piece stretched before;</div> <div class="i2">And cunning Brownies, never fear,</div> <div class="i2">Will find some way to enter here."</div> </div></div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <ANTIMG src="images/i063b.jpg" width-obs="140" height-obs="120" alt="W" class="alignlefta" /> <div class="i9"> &nbsp;<span class="smcapa">HEN</span> once the Brownies' plans were laid,</div> <div class="i10">No formal, tiresome speech was made.</div> <div class="i10">In mystic ways, to Brownies known,</div> <div class="i10">They clambered up the walls of stone.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</SPAN></span> <div class="i10">They clung to this and that, like briers,</div> <div class="i10">They climbed the smooth electric wires;</div> <div class="i10">Some members lending ready aid</div> <div class="i10">To those who weaker nerves displayed.</div> <div class="i10">And in five minutes at the most,</div> <div class="i10">By vine, by bracket, and by post,</div> <div class="i10">By every scroll, and carving bold,</div> <div class="i10">That toes could touch or fingers hold</div> <div class="i10">They made their way, and gained a chance</div> <div class="i10">To view, unnoticed, every dance.</div> <div class="i10">Said one: "How pleasant is the sight</div> <div class="i10">To see those children young and bright</div> <div class="i10">While skipping blithely to and fro,</div> <div class="i10">Now joined in pairs, now in a row,</div> <div class="i10">Or formed in circles, hand in hand,</div> <div class="i10">And lightly moving at command&mdash;</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i064a.jpg" width-obs="560" height-obs="486" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i0">Like butterflies through balmy air</div> <div class="i0">When summer spreads attractions fair,</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i065c.jpg" width-obs="85" height-obs="125" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i0">And blends with every whispering breeze</div> <div class="i0">The drowsy hum of working bees."</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i0">Another said: "When this is o'er</div> <div class="i0">The Brownie Band will take the floor.</div> <div class="i4">We'll bide our time and not be slow</div> <div class="i4">To take possession when they go.</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i065a.jpg" width-obs="112" height-obs="150" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i8">Then up and down the spacious hall</div> <div class="i8">We'll imitate the steps of all.</div> <div class="i8">We'll show that not in Frenchmen's bones</div> <div class="i8">Lies all the grace that nature owns;</div> <div class="i8">That others at the waltz can shine</div> <div class="i8">As well as Germans from the Rhine;</div> <div class="i7">That we some capers can enjoy</div> <div class="i7">As well as natives of Savoy."</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i7">While thus they talked, the moments flew,</div> <div class="i7">And soon the master's task was through.</div> <div class="i4">When children's cloaks were wrapped around,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i065d.jpg" width-obs="130" height-obs="126" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i4">And heavier shoes their feet had found</div> <div class="i4">They hastened home; but while they slept</div> <div class="i4">The Brownies in that building crept</div> <div class="i4">To take their turn at lively reel,</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i065b.jpg" width-obs="113" height-obs="150" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i7">At graceful glide, or dizzy wheel,</div> <div class="i7">Till all the dances people know,</div> <div class="i8">From Cuba's palms to Russia's snow</div> <div class="i8">Were tried, and soon in every case</div> <div class="i8">Were mastered with surprising grace.</div> <div class="i8">Imagine how they skipped about,</div> <div class="i8">And how they danced, with laugh and shout!</div> </div></div> </div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <ANTIMG src="images/i066a.jpg" width-obs="91" height-obs="120" alt="N" class="alignlefta" /> <div class="i6"><span class="smcapa">O</span> sooner had the Brownies run</div> <div class="i7">Into the hall than 'twas begun.</div> <div class="i7">Some round the harp, with cunning stroke,</div> <div class="i7">The music in the strings awoke.</div> <div class="i7">The violins to others fell,</div> <div class="i7">Who scraped, and sawed, and fingered well,</div> <div class="i7">Until the sweet and stirring air</div> <div class="i7">Would rouse the feet of dullest there.</div> <div class="i7">Like people in the spring of life,</div> <div class="i7">Of joys and countless blessings rife,</div> <div class="i7">Who yield themselves to Pleasure's hand&mdash;</div> <div class="i7">So danced that night the Brownie Band.</div> <div class="i7">First one would take his place to show</div> <div class="i7">The special step for heel or toe,</div> <div class="i7">Just how to edge about with care,</div> <div class="i7">And help around the partner fair,</div> <div class="i7">Nor plant his feet upon a dress&mdash;</div> <div class="i7">To cause confusion and distress.</div> <div class="i7">Then more would play the master's part,</div> <div class="i7">And give some lessons in the art:</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i066b.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="221" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i7">Would show the rest some figures new</div> <div class="i7">From Turkey, China, or Peru.</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i067.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="356" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i7">Now smoothly glide, as if on wings,</div> <div class="i7">Then bob around, as if on springs,</div> <div class="i7">Until the sprightly steps would call</div> <div class="i7">Loud acclamations from them all.</div> <div class="i7">They danced in twos with skip and bound,</div> <div class="i7">They danced in circles, round and round;</div> <div class="i7">They danced in lines that coiled about</div> <div class="i7">As runs the serpent in and out,</div> <div class="i7">Some moving slow, some standing still&mdash;</div> <div class="i7">More cutting capers with a will.</div> <div class="i7">At length, by joining hand in hand,</div> <div class="i7">The set included all the band.</div> <div class="i7">A happier crowd was never seen</div> <div class="i7">On ball-room floor or village green.</div> <div class="i7">By turns they danced, by turns would go</div> <div class="i7">And try their skill at string and bow&mdash;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</SPAN></span> <div class="i7">They almost sawed the fiddle through,</div> <div class="i7">So fast the bow across it flew.</div> <div class="i7">And louder still the harp would ring,</div> <div class="i7">As nimbler fingers plucked the string.</div> <div class="i7">Alike they seemed a skillful band</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i068a.jpg" width-obs="80" height-obs="110" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i7">Upon the floor or music-stand.</div> <div class="i7">The night wore on, from hour to hour,</div> <div class="i7">And still they danced with vim and power;</div> <div class="i7">For supple-kneed and light of toe</div> <div class="i7">The Brownies are, as well you know,</div> <div class="i7">And such a thing as tiring out</div> <div class="i7">Gives them but small concern, no doubt.</div> <div class="i7">As long as darkness hung her pall</div> <div class="i7">In heavy folds around the hall,</div> <div class="i7">The Brownies stayed to dance and play,</div> <div class="i7">Until the very break of day.</div> </div></div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <ANTIMG src="images/i068b.jpg" width-obs="94" height-obs="120" alt="T" class="alignlefta" /> <div class="i6"><span class="smcapa">O</span> dance the figures o'er and o'er,</div> <div class="i7">They lingered on the polished floor;</div> <div class="i7">No sooner was one party done</div> <div class="i7">Than others the position won.</div> <div class="i7">They chose their partners for the set,</div> <div class="i7">And bowed, and scraped, and smiling, met.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i068c.jpg" width-obs="64" height-obs="130" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i7">As night advanced, and morning gray</div> <div class="i7">Nigh and still nigher cast its ray,</div> <div class="i7">The lively Brownies faster flew,</div> <div class="i7">Across and back, around and through;</div> <div class="i7">Now down the center, up the side,</div> <div class="i7">Then back to place with graceful glide&mdash;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i069.jpg" width-obs="330" height-obs="500" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</SPAN></span> <div class="i7">Until it seemed that even day</div> <div class="i7">Would hardly drive the band away.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i7">At length some, more upon their guard</div> <div class="i7">Against surprises, labored hard</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i070a.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="79" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i0">To urge their comrades from the place</div> <div class="i0">Before the sun would show his face.</div> <div class="i0">They pulled and hauled with all their might</div> <div class="i0">At those half crazy with delight,</div> <div class="i7">Who still would struggle for a chance</div> <div class="i7">To have, at least, another dance&mdash;</div> <div class="i7">Some figure that was quite forgot,</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i070b.jpg" width-obs="101" height-obs="110" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i8">Although "the finest of the lot."</div> <div class="i8">Another wished to linger still&mdash;</div> <div class="i8">In spite of warning words&mdash;until</div> <div class="i8">Each member present on the floor</div> <div class="i8">Had been his partner twice or more.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i7">Meantime, outside, the tell-tale dyes</div> <div class="i7">Of morn began to paint the skies,</div> <div class="i7">And, one by one, the stars of night</div> <div class="i7">Grew pale before the morning's light.</div> <div class="i7">Alone, bright Venus, in the west,</div> <div class="i7">Upheld her torch and warned the rest;</div> <div class="i7">While from the hedge the piping note</div> <div class="i7">Of waking birds began to float;</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i070c.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="88" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i0">And crows upon the wooded hills</div> <div class="i0">Commenced to stir and whet their bills,</div> <div class="i0">When Brownies scampered from the place,</div> <div class="i0">And undertook the homeward race.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</SPAN></span> <div class="i0">Nor made a halt in street or square,</div> <div class="i0">Or verdant park, however fair;</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i071a.jpg" width-obs="171" height-obs="150" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i0">But farther from the sight of man</div> <div class="i0">And light of day, they quickly ran.</div> <div class="i0">They traveled at their highest speed,</div> <div class="i0">And swiftly must they go, indeed;</div> <div class="i0">For, like the spokes of some great wheel,</div> <div class="i0">The rays of light began to steal</div> <div class="i0">Still higher up the eastern sky,</div> <div class="i0">And showed the sun was rolling nigh.</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i071b.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="125" alt="" class="aligncenter" /></div> </div></div> <hr class="chap" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />