The Brownies: Their Book

by Palmer Cox

When all had done the best they could, And waiting for the signal stood, It hardly took a moment's space For each to scramble to his place.

Some seized a neck and some a head,
And some a wing, and some a shred
Of tail, or aught that nearest lay,
To help them mount without delay.
Then rose wild flaps and piercing screams,
As sudden starting from their dreams
The wondering fowl in sore dismay
Brought wings and muscles into play.
Some felt the need of longer sleep,
And hardly had the strength to "cheep;"
While others seemed to find a store
Of screams they'd never found before
—But off like leaves or flakes of snow
Before the gale the Brownies go,
Away, away, through spray or cloud
As fancy led, or load allowed.
Some birds to poor advantage showed,
As, with an oddly balanced load,
Now right or left at random cast,

They flew, the sport of every blast; While fish below had aching eyes With gazing upward at the prize. They followed still from mile to mile, Believing fortune yet would smile; While plainer to the Brownies grew The hills and vales that well they knew. "I see," said one, who, from his post Between the wings, could view the coast, "The lofty peaks we used to climb

To gaze upon the scene sublime." A second cried: "And there's the bay From which our vessel bore away!" "And I," another cried, "can see The shady grove, the very tree We met beneath the night we planned To build a ship and leave the land!" All in confusion now at last, The birds upon the shore were cast. Some, tumbling through thick branches, fell

And spilled the load that clung so well.
Some, "topsy-turvy" to the ground,
Dispersed their riders all around;
And others still could barely get
To shores where land and water met.
Congratulations then began,
As here and there the Brownies ran,

To learn if all had held their grip And kept aboard throughout the trip. "And now," said one, "that all are o'er In safety to our native shore, You see, so wasted is the night, Orion's belt is out of sight; And ere the lamp of Venus fades We all must reach the forest shades.

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