WHEN flitting bats commenced to wheel
Around the eaves to find their meal,
And owls to hoot in forests wide,
To call their owlets to their side,
The Brownie Band, in full array,
Through silent streets pursued their way.
But as they neared a building high,
Surprise was shown in every eye.
They heard the strains of music sweet,
And tripping of the dancers' feet;
While o'er the tap of heel and toe,
The twang of harp and scrape of bow,
Arose the clear and ringing call
Of those who had control of all.
The Brownies slackened their swift pace,
Then gathered closely round the place,
To study out some way to win
A peep or two at those within.
Said one: "In matters of this kind
Opinions differ, you will find.
And some might say, with sober thought,
That children should not thus be taught
To hop around on toe and heel
So actively to fiddle's squeal,
For fear 'twould turn their minds away
From graver duties of the day."
Another said: "The dancing art
Doth ease to every move impart.
It gives alike to city-bred
And country-born a graceful tread,
And helps them bear themselves along
Without offense in greatest throng.
The nimble step, the springing knee,
And balanced body all agree.
The feet, my friends, may glide with grace
As well as trudge from place to place.
And in the parlor or without
They best can stand or walk about
Who found in early life a chance
To mingle in the sprightly dance."
The Brownies need no ladders long,
No hoists, nor elevators strong,
To lift them to an upper flight,
A window-sill, or transom light.
The weather-vane upon the spire,
That overlooks the town entire,
Is not too high above the base
If fancy leads them to the place.
'Tis said the very fleecy clouds
They can bestride in eager crowds,
Around the world their way to find,
And leave the lagging winds behind.
Said one: "We've scaled the dizzy heights
Of mountain-peaks on other nights,
And crossed the stream from shore to shore
Where but the string-piece stretched before;
And cunning Brownies, never fear,
Will find some way to enter here."
WHEN once the Brownies' plans were laid,
No formal, tiresome speech was made.
In mystic ways, to Brownies known,
They clambered up the walls of stone.
They clung to this and that, like briers,
They climbed the smooth electric wires;
Some members lending ready aid
To those who weaker nerves displayed.
And in five minutes at the most,
By vine, by bracket, and by post,
By every scroll, and carving bold,
That toes could touch or fingers hold
They made their way, and gained a chance
To view, unnoticed, every dance.
Said one: "How pleasant is the sight
To see those children young and bright
While skipping blithely to and fro,
Now joined in pairs, now in a row,
Or formed in circles, hand in hand,
And lightly moving at command—
Like butterflies through balmy air
When summer spreads attractions fair,
And blends with every whispering breeze
The drowsy hum of working bees."
Another said: "When this is o'er
The Brownie Band will take the floor.
We'll bide our time and not be slow
To take possession when they go.
Then up and down the spacious hall
We'll imitate the steps of all.
We'll show that not in Frenchmen's bones
Lies all the grace that nature owns;
That others at the waltz can shine
As well as Germans from the Rhine;
That we some capers can enjoy
As well as natives of Savoy."
While thus they talked, the moments flew,
And soon the master's task was through.
When children's cloaks were wrapped around,
And heavier shoes their feet had found
They hastened home; but while they slept
The Brownies in that building crept
To take their turn at lively reel,
At graceful glide, or dizzy wheel,
Till all the dances people know,
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From Cuba's palms to Russia's snow
Were tried, and soon in every case
Were mastered with surprising grace.
............
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