Brownies: Their Book

<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i008a.png" width-obs="99" height-obs="126" alt="The Brownie&#39;s Ride" title="" /></div> <h2>THE BROWNIES' RIDE.</h2> <div class='poem3'> <div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i008b-o.png" width-obs="272" height-obs="203" alt="O" title="" /></div> <br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>NE night a cunning Brownie band<br/> Was roaming through a farmer's land,<br/></div> <div class='poem'> And while the rogues went prying 'round,<br/> The farmer's mare at rest they found;<br/> And peeping through the stable-door,<br/> They saw the harness that she wore.<br/> The sight was tempting to the eye,<br/> For there the cart was standing nigh.<br/></div> <div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i008c.png" width-obs="114" height-obs="173" alt="Looking through the door" title="" /></div> <div class='poem2'><br/> "That mare," said one, "deserves her feed&mdash;<br/> Believe me, she's no common breed;<br/> Her grit is good: I've seen her dash<br/> Up yonder slope without the lash,<br/> Until her load&mdash;a ton of hay&mdash;<br/></div> <div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i008d.png" width-obs="174" height-obs="152" alt="Looking at the gear" title="" /></div> <div class='poem'>Went bouncing in beside the bay.<br/> In this same cart, old Farmer Gill<br/> Takes all his corn and wheat to mill;<br/> It must be strong, though rude and rough;<br/> It runs on wheels, and that's enough."<br/></div> <div class='poem'><br/> Now, Brownies seldom idle stand<br/> When there's a chance for fun at hand.<br/></div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i009a.png" width-obs="251" height-obs="121" alt="Pulling the rope" title="" /></div> <div class='poem2'> So plans were laid without delay;<br/> The mare was dragged from oats and hay,<br/> The harness from the peg they drew,<br/> And every one to action flew.<br/> It was a sight one should behold<br/> To see them working, young and old;<br/></div> <div class='poem3'> Two wrinkled elves, like leather browned,<br/> Whose beards descended near the ground,<br/> Along with youngsters did their best<br/> With all the ardor of the rest.<br/></div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i009b.png" width-obs="462" height-obs="456" alt="With the horse" title="" /></div> <div class='poem'> While some prepared a rein or trace,<br/> Another slid the bit in place;<br/> More buckled bands with all their might,<br/> Or drew the harness close and tight.<br/></div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i010.png" width-obs="471" height-obs="454" alt="Harnessed to the cart" title="" /></div> <div class='poem'> When every strap a buckle found,<br/> And every part was safe and sound,<br/> Then 'round the cart the Brownies flew,&mdash;<br/> The hardest task was yet to do.<br/> It often puzzles bearded men,<br/> Though o'er and o'er performed again.<br/></div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</SPAN></span></p> <div class='poem'> Some held the shafts to steer them straight,<br/> More did their best to balance weight,<br/> While others showed both strength and art<br/> In backing Mag into the cart.<br/> At length the heavy job was done,<br/> And horse and cart moved off as one.<br/></div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i011a.png" width-obs="421" height-obs="135" alt="All in a row" title="" /></div> <div class='poem'> Now down the road the gentle steed<br/> Was forced to trot at greatest speed.<br/></div> <div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i011b.png" width-obs="218" height-obs="125" alt="Pulled behind" title="" /></div> <div class='poem2'> A merrier crowd than journeyed there<br/> Was never seen at Dublin Fair.<br/> Some found a seat, while others stood,<br/> Or hung behind as best they could;<br/> While many, strung along, astride,<br/> Upon the mare enjoyed the ride.<br/> The night was dark, the lucky elves<br/> Had all the turnpike to themselves.<br/> No surly keeper barred the way,</div> <div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i011c.png" width-obs="196" height-obs="317" alt="Across the bridge" title="" /></div> <div class='poem'> For use of road demanding pay,<br/> Nor were they startled by the cry<br/> Of robbers shouting, "Stand or die!"<br/> Across the bridge and up the hill<br/> And through the woods to Warren's mill,&mdash;<br/> A lengthy ride, ten miles at least,&mdash;<br/> Without a rest they drove the beast,<br/> And then were loath enough to rein<br/> Old Mag around for home again.<br/></div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i012a.png" width-obs="471" height-obs="446" alt="Driving the horse" title="" /></div> <div class='poem'> Nor was the speed, returning, slow;<br/> The mare was more inclined to go,<br/></div> <div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i012b.png" width-obs="242" height-obs="175" alt="Watching it go by" title="" /></div> <div class='poem'> Because the feed of oats and hay<br/> Unfinished in her manger lay.<br/> So through the yard she wheeled her load<br/> As briskly as she took the road.<br/> No time remained to then undo<br/> The many straps which tight they drew.<br/> For in the east the reddening sky<br/> Gave warning that the sun was nigh.<br/></div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</SPAN></span></p> <p><br/><br/></p> <div class='center'> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="poem and drawing"> <tr><td align='left' valign='top'>The halter rope was<br/> About the nearest<br/> Then off they scam-<br/> And disappeared at </td><td align='center'><ANTIMG src="images/i013a.png" width-obs="139" height-obs="133" alt="Around the post" title="" /> </td><td align='left' valign='top'>quickly wound<br/> post they found;<br/> pered, left and right,<br/> once from sight.<br/></td></tr> </table></div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i013b.png" width-obs="517" height-obs="106" alt="Scampering" title="" /></div> <div class='poem'> When Farmer Gill that morning fair<br/> Came out and viewed his jaded mare,<br/> I may not here in verse repeat<br/> His exclamations all complete.<br/> He gnashed his teeth, and glared around,<br/> And struck his fists, and stamped the ground,<br/> And chased the dog across the farm,<br/> Because it failed to give alarm.<br/> "I'd give a stack of hay," he cried,<br/> "To catch the rogue who stole the ride!"<br/> But still awry suspicion flew,&mdash;<br/> Who stole the ride he never knew.<br/></div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i013c.png" width-obs="446" height-obs="173" alt="Enjoying the ride" title="" /></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />