  O NE night, when the cold moon hung low And winter wrapped the world in snow And bridged the streams in wood and field With ice as smooth as shining shield, Some skaters swept in graceful style The glistening surface, file on file.
Have the feet Said one: "That pleasure might be ours— We have the feet and motive powers; No mortal need us Brownies teach, If skates were but within our reach." In a carriage Another answered: "Then, my friend, To hear my plan let all attend. I have a building in my mind That we within an hour can find.
Brownie A place to muster near the town, And meeting hour they noted down; And then retiring for the night, When evening next her visit paid To fold the earth in robes of shade,
The skates that would their fun insure. As mice can get to cake and cheese Without a key whene'er they please, So, cunning Brownies can proceed And help themselves to what they need. Out procuring For bolts and bars they little care If but a nail is wanting there! Or, failing this, with ease descend Like Santa Claus and gain their end As children to the windows fly At news of Jumbo passing by, So rushed the eager band away To fields of ice without delay. Though far too large at heel and toe, The skates were somehow made to go. But out behind and out before, Like spurs, they stuck a span or more, Alike afflicting foe and friend Feet in the air In bringing journeys to an end. They had their slips and sudden spreads, Where heels flew higher than their heads, As people do, however nice, When venturing first upon the ice. But soon they learned to curve and wheel And cut fine scrolls with scoring steel, To race in clusters to and fro, To jump and turn and backward go, Until a rest on bed so cool, Was more the wonder than the rule. But from the lake they all withdrew Some hours before the night was through, And hastened back with lively feet Through narrow lane and silent street, Until they reached the broker's door With every skate that left the store.
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