No sooner had the Brownies run Into the hall than 'twas begun. Some round the harp, with cunning stroke, The music in the strings awoke. The violins to others fell, Who scraped, and sawed, and fingered well, Until the sweet and stirring air Would rouse the feet of dullest there. Like people in the spring of life, Of joys and countless blessings rife, Who yield themselves to Pleasure's hand-- So danced that night the Brownie Band. First one would take his place to show The special step for heel or toe, Just how to edge about with care, And help around the partner fair, Nor plant his feet upon a dress-- To cause confusion and distress. Then more would play the master's part, And give some lessons in the art: [Illustration] Would show the rest some figures new From Turkey, China, or Peru. Now smoothly glide, as if on wings, Then bob around, as if on springs, Until the sprightly steps would call Loud acclamations from them all. They danced in twos with skip and bound, They danced in circles, round and round; They danced in lines that coiled about As runs the serpent in and out, Some moving slow, some standing still-- More cutting capers with a will. At length, by joining hand in hand, The set included all the band. A happier crowd was never seen On ball-room floor or village green. By turns they danced, by turns would go And try their skill at string and bow-- They almost sawed the fiddle through, So fast the bow across it flew. And louder still the harp would ring, As nimbler fingers plucked the string. Alike they seemed a skillful band Upon the floor or music-stand. The night wore on, from hour to hour, And still they danced with vim and power; For supple-kneed and light of toe The Brownies are, as well you know, And such a thing as tiring out Gives them but small concern, no doubt. As long as darkness hung her pall In heavy folds around the hall, The Brownies stayed to dance and play, Until the very break of day. [Illustration] [Illustration] To dance the figures o'er and o'er, They lingered on the polished floor; No sooner was one party done Than others the position won. They chose their partners for the set, And bowed, and scraped, and smiling, met. [Illustration] [Illustration] As night advanced, and morning gray Nigh and still nigher cast its ray, The lively Brownies faster flew, Across and back, around and through; Now down the center, up the side, Then back to place with graceful glide-- Until it seemed that even day Would hardly drive the band away. [Illustration] [Illustration]