Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_FANCY_BALL" id="THE_BROWNIES_FANCY_BALL"></SPAN>THE BROWNIES' FANCY BALL.</h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i086b.jpg" width-obs="111" height-obs="150" alt="I" class="alignlefte" /> </span> <div class="i7"> &nbsp;<span class="smcapa">T</span> was the season of the year</div> <div class="i8">When people, dressed in fancy gear,</div> <div class="i8">From every quarter hurried down</div> <div class="i8">And filled the largest halls in town;</div> <div class="i8">And there to flute and fiddle sweet</div> <div class="i8">Went through their sets with lively feet.</div> <div class="i8">The Brownies were not slow to note</div> <div class="i8">That fun indeed was now afloat;</div> <div class="i8">And ere the season passed away,</div> <div class="i8">Of longest night and shortest day,</div> <div class="i8">They looked about to find a hall</div> <div class="i8">Where they could hold their fancy ball.</div> <div class="i8">Said one: "A room can soon be found</div> <div class="i8">Where all the band can troop around;</div> <div class="i8">But want of costumes, much I fear,</div> <div class="i8">Will bar our pleasure all the year."</div> <div class="i8">Another said: "One moment wait!</div> <div class="i8">My eyes have not been shut of late,&mdash;</div> <div class="i8">Don't show a weak and hopeless mind</div> <div class="i8">Because your knowledge is confined,&mdash;</div> <div class="i8">For I'm prepared to take the band</div> <div class="i8">To costumes, ready to the hand,</div> <div class="i8">Of every pattern, new or old:</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i087a.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="389" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <ANTIMG src="images/i087b.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="233" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i8">The kingly robes, with chains of gold,</div> <div class="i8">The cloak and plume of belted knight,</div> <div class="i8">The pilgrim's hat and stockings white,</div> <div class="i8">The dresses for the ladies fair,</div> <div class="i8">The gems and artificial hair,</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</SPAN></span> <div class="i8">The soldier-suits in blue and red,</div> <div class="i8">The turban for the Tartar's head,</div> <div class="i8">All can be found where I will lead,</div> <div class="i8">If friends are willing to proceed."</div> </div></div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <ANTIMG src="images/i088.jpg" width-obs="400" height-obs="447" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i0">Those knowing best the Brownie way</div> <div class="i0">Will know there was no long delay,</div> <div class="i0">Ere to the town he made a break</div> <div class="i0">With all the Brownies in his wake.</div> <div class="i8">It mattered not that roads were long,</div> <div class="i8">That hills were high or winds were strong;</div> <div class="i8">Soon robes were found on peg and shelf,</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i089a.jpg" width-obs="136" height-obs="138" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i9">And each one chose to suit himself.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</SPAN></span> <div class="i9">The costumes, though a world too wide,</div> <div class="i9">And long enough a pair to hide,</div> <div class="i9">Were gathered in with skill and care,</div> <div class="i9">That showed the tailor's art was there.</div> <div class="i9">Then out they started for the hall,</div> <div class="i9">In fancy trappings one and all;</div> <div class="i9">Some clad like monks in sable gowns;</div> <div class="i9">And some like kings; and more like clowns;</div> <div class="i2">And Highlanders, with naked knees;</div> <div class="i2">And Turks, with turbans like a cheese;</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i089b.jpg" width-obs="399" height-obs="449" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</SPAN></span> <div class="i0">While many members in the line</div> <div class="i0">Were dressed like ladies fair and fine,</div> <div class="i0">And swept along the polished floor</div> <div class="i0">A train that reached a yard or more.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <ANTIMG src="images/i090.jpg" width-obs="379" height-obs="500" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i0">By happy chance some laid their hand</div> <div class="i0">Upon the outfit of a band;</div> <div class="i0">The horns and trumpets took the lead,</div> <div class="i0">Supported well by string and reed;</div> <div class="i12">And violins, that would have made</div> <div class="i12">A mansion for the rogues that played,</div> <div class="i12">With flute and clarionet combined</div> <div class="i11">In music of the gayest kind.</div> <div class="i10">In dances wild and strange to see</div> <div class="i9">They passed the hours in greatest glee;</div> <div class="i8">Familiar figures all were lost</div> <div class="i7">In flowing robes that round them tossed;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i091a.jpg" width-obs="123" height-obs="122" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i4">And well-known faces hid behind</div> <div class="i4">Queer masks that quite confused the mind.</div> <div class="i4">The queen and clown, a loving pair,</div> <div class="i4">Enjoyed a light fandango there;</div> <div class="i4">While solemn monks of gentle heart,</div> <div class="i4">In jig and scalp-dance took their part.</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i091b.jpg" width-obs="129" height-obs="131" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i8">The grand salute, with courteous words,</div> <div class="i8">The bobbing up and down, like birds,</div> <div class="i8">The lively skip, the stately glide,</div> <div class="i8">The double turn, and twist aside</div> <div class="i8">Were introduced in proper place</div> <div class="i8">And carried through with ease and grace.</div> <div class="i8">So great the pleasure proved to all,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i091c.jpg" width-obs="137" height-obs="83" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i8">Too long they tarried in the hall,</div> <div class="i8">And morning caught them on the fly,</div> <div class="i4">Ere they could put the garments by!</div> <div class="i4">Then dodging out in great dismay,</div> <div class="i6">By walls and stumps they made their way;</div> <div class="i6">And not until the evening's shade</div> <div class="i6">Were costumes in their places laid.</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i091d.jpg" width-obs="476" height-obs="130" alt="" class="aligncenter" /></div> </div></div> <hr class="chap" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i092a.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="170" alt="" /></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />