on hallow-eve, that night of fun,
when elves and goblins frisk and run,
and many games and tricks are tried
at every pleasant fireside,
the brownies halted to survey
a village that below them lay,
and wondered as they rested there
to hear the laughter fill the air
that from the happy children came
as they enjoyed some pleasant game.
said one: "what means this merry flow
that comes so loudly from below,
uncommon pleasures must abound
where so much laughter can be found."
another said: "now, by your leave,
i'll tell you 't is all-hallow-eve,
when people meet to have their sport
at curious games of every sort;
i know them all from first to last,
and now, before the night has passed,
for some convenient place we'll start
without delay to play our part."
two dozen mouths commenced to show
their teeth in white and even row;
two dozen voices cried with speed,
"the plan is good we're all agreed."
and in a trice four dozen feet
went down the hill with even beat.
without a long or wearying race
the brownies soon secured a place
that answered well in every way
for all the games they wished to play.
there tubs of water could be found,
by which to stoop or kneel around,
and strive to bring the pennies out
that on the bottom slipped about.
then heads were wet and shoulders, too,
where some would still the coin pursue,
and mouth about now here and there
without a pause or breath of air
until in pride, with joyful cries,
they held aloft the captured prize.
more stood the tempting bait beneath,
and with a hasty snap of teeth
the whirling apple thought to claim
and shun the while the candle's flame,—
but found that with such pleasure goes
an eye-brow singed, or blistered nose.
more named the oats as people do
to try which hearts are false, which true,
and on the griddle placed the pair
to let them part or smoulder there;
and smiled to see, through woe or weal,
how often hearts were true as steel.
still others tried to read their fate
or fortune in a dish or plate,
learn whether they would ever wed,
or lead a single life instead;
or if their mate would be a blessing,
or prove a partner most distressing.
then others in the open air,
of fun and frolic had their share;
played "hide and seek," and "blindman's buff,"
and "tag" o'er places smooth or rough,
and "snap the whip" and "trip the toe,"
and games that none but brownies know.
as if their lives at stake were placed,
they jumped around and dodged and raced,
and tumbled headlong to the ground
when feet some hard obstruction found;
at times across the level mead,
some proved their special claims to speed,
and as reward of merit wore
a wreath of green till sport was o'er.
the hours flew past as hours will
when joys do every moment fill;
the moon grew weak and said good-night,
and turned her pallid face from sight;
then weakening stars began to fail,
but still the brownies kept the vale;
full many a time had hours retired
much faster than the band desired,
and pleasure seemed too sweet to lay
aside, because of coming day,
but never yet with greater pain
did they behold the crimson stain
that morning spread along the sky,
and told them they must homeward fly
