The Brownies: Their Book

by Palmer Cox

The bag with gas must be supplied,
That will insure a lengthy ride;

When we set sail 't is not to fly Above a spire and call it high. The boat, or basket, must be strong, Designed to take the crowd along; For that which leaves a part behind Would hardly suit the Brownie mind. The works that serve the town of Bray With gas are scarce two miles away. To-morrow night we'll come and bear,

As best we can, this burden there;
And when inflated, fit to rise,
We'll take a sail around the skies."

Next evening, as the scheme was planned, The Brownies promptly were on hand; For when some pleasure lies in view, The absentees are always few. But 't was no easy task to haul The old balloon, car, ropes and all, Across the rocks and fallen trees And through the marshes to their knees.

But Brownies, persevering still,
Will keep their course through every ill,
And in the main, as history shows,
Succeed in aught they do propose.

So, though it cost them rather dear,
In scratches there and tumbles here,
They worked until the wondrous feat
Of transportation was complete.
Then while some busy fingers played
Around the rents that branches made,
An extra coil of rope was tied
In long festoons around the side,
That all the party, young and old,
Might find a trusty seat or hold.
And while they worked, they chatted free
About the wonders they would see.
Said one: "As smoothly as a kite,
We'll rise above the clouds to-night,
And may the question settle soon,
About the surface of the moon."
Now all was ready for the gas,

And soon the lank and tangled mass Began to flop about and rise, As though impatient for the skies; Then was there work for every hand That could be mustered in the band, To keep the growing monster low Until they stood prepared to go; To this and that they made it fast, Round stones and stakes the rope was cast;