Off they all ran trooping, And hallooing and hooping, Beneath the low boughs stooping, Right through the wood, For Grandmama Grey, Like an old duck, led the way, When a string of ducks trudge to a flood. Then came Kitty, side by side With Toody, who oft cried, “Oh, Kitty dear, was ever such rare fun, fun, fun!” And Crocus close to Twig, Both scampered in a jig, For they knew the Elf his freedom-race had won, won, won. As for him, the roguish Elf, He took good care of himself; His mites of legs they twinkled as he fled, fled, fled! He was scarcely seen, indeed, He so glistened with his speed, And his hair streamed out like silver grass behind his head! Now leaping here, now there, Tiny barking everywhere, Through undergrowth and thicket made his way with nose and claw, Till suddenly the party Met, full drive, with laughter hearty, Florry, Pay, Bow, Carry, Minnie, Ganner, Andy, Ock, and Daw! Such a meeting—such quick greeting— Such explaining and repeating! All confusion, no one listening, but all for the chase; So off the party pack To follow the Elf’s track, And Granny Grey was foremost still in this mad race! Now flew buttons, laces, bands, While with burning face and hands, Through and through, and up and down, they troop with shout and crow! Under, over, and across Shrubs, tangles, trunks, and moss, Till their hearts are almost bursting, and they gasp, and puff, and blow! They struggle and they strive, Droop—lag—and then revive; And once again they speed along and wish for wings to fly; They grow deaf and dizzy-eyed— With pains in head and side; But the Elf they cannot overtake—’tis all in vain to try! So the party wild with heat, And defeat—so complete— To the cottage stagger and retreat— Oh, oh, oh! And, with fagg’d and streaming faces, they all sit down on the floor, Their clothes green from bark of trees— Torn and mudded to the knees— With faces like red-lion signs, and feet all sore! There they sit, a good long hour, As for moving!—they have no such power; And Martha with hot water comes, each hand and face to wash. And then, still lounging on the ground, Cups of tea are handed round, Their dinners they had lost, while they hunted brake and bush.