THE BROWNIES AT THE GYMNASIUM.
The Brownies once, while roaming 'round,
By chance approached a college ground;
And, as they skirmished every side,
A large gymnasium they espied.
Their eyes grew bright as they surveyed
The means for exercise displayed.
The club, the weight, the hanging ring,
The horizontal bar, and swing,
| The boxing-gloves Of him who loves All brought expres- As one by one they The time was short, That named the | that please the heart the manly art, sions of delight, came in sight. and words were few work for each to do. |
Their mystic art, as may be found
On pages now in volumes bound,
Was quite enough to bear them in
Through walls of wood and roofs of tin.
No hasp can hold, no bolt can stand Before the Brownie's tiny hand; The sash will rise, the panel yield, And leave him master of the field.— When safe they stood within the hall, A pleasant time was promised all. |
| Said one: "The clubs let me obtain That Indians use upon the plain, And here I'll stand to test my power, And swing them 'round my head an hour; Though not the largest in the band, I claim to own no infant hand; And muscle in this arm you'll meet That well might grace a trained athlete. |