WHILE Brownies passed along the street,
Commenting on the summer's heat
That wrapped the city day and night,
A swimming-bath appeared in sight.
Said one: "Of all the sights we've found,
Since we commenced to ramble round,
This seems to better suit the band
Than anything, however grand.
We'll rest awhile and find our way
Inside the place without delay,
And those who understand the art,
Can knowledge to the rest impart;
For every one should able be,
To swim, in river, lake, or sea.
We never know how soon we may,
See some one sinking in dismay,—
And then, to have the power to save
A comrade from a watery grave,
Will be a blessing sure to give
Us joy the longest day we live."
The doors soon opened through the power
That lay in Brownie hands that hour.
When once within the fun began,
As here and there they quickly ran;
Some up the stairs made haste to go,
Some into dressing-rooms below,
In bathing-trunks to reappear
And plunge into the water clear;
Some from the spring-board leaping fair
Would turn a somersault in air;
More to the bottom like a stone,
Would sink as soon as left alone,
While others after trial brief
Could float as buoyant as a leaf.
Some all their time to others gave
Assisting them to ride the wave,
Explaining how to catch the trick,
Both how to strike and how to kick;
And still keep nose above the tide,
That lungs with air might be supplied.
Thus diving in and climbing out,
Or splashing round with laugh and shout,
The happy band in water played
As long as Night her scepter swayed.
They heard the clocks in chapel towers
Proclaim the swiftly passing hours.
But when the sun looked from his bed
To tint the eastern sky with red,
In haste the frightened Brownies threw
Their clothes about them and withdrew.