AS Brownies chanced at eve to stray
Around a wide but shallow bay,
Not far from shore, to their surprise,
They saw a whale of monstrous size,
That, favored by the wind and tide,
Had ventured in from ocean wide,
But waves receding by-and-by,
Soon left him with a scant supply.
At times, with flaps and lunges strong
He worked his way some yards along,
Till on a bar or sandy marge
He grounded like a leaden barge.
"A chance like this for all the band,"
Cried one, "but seldom comes to hand.
I know the bottom of this bay
Like those who made the coast survey.
'Tis level as a threshing-floor
And shallow now from shore to shore;
That creature's back will be as dry
As hay beneath a tropic sky,
Till morning tide comes full and free
And gives him aid to reach the sea."
"I catch the hint!" another cried;
"Let all make haste to gain his side
Then clamber up as best we may,
And ride him round till break of day."
At once, the band in great delight
Went splashing through the water bright,
And soon to where he rolled about
They lightly swam, or waded out.
Now climbing up, the Brownies tried
To take position for the ride.
Some lying down a hold maintained;
More, losing place as soon as gained,
Were forced a dozen times to scale
The broad side of the stranded whale.
Now half-afloat and half-aground
The burdened monster circled round,
Still groping clumsily about
As if to find the channel out,
And Brownies clustered close, in fear
That darker moments might be near.
And soon the dullest in the band
Was sharp enough to understand
The creature was no longer beached,
But deeper water now had reached.
For plunging left, or plunging right,
Or plowing downward in his might,
The fact was plain, as plain could be—
The whale was working out to sea!
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A creeping fear will seize the mind
As one is leaving shores behind,
And knows the bark whereon he sail............
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