THE BROWNIES IN ITALY.

Such as the world
to present date
Has tried in vain
to imitate.
They clambered over
Peter’s dome,
And seemed to feel
as much at home
Upon the highest point they found
As if they sported on the ground,
Though now and then some trouble rose

 

From rash attempts or slipping toes.
At times a Brownie lost his hold
And half-way down the dome he rolled
Until an ornament would check
His fall in time to save his neck.
The better to observe the style
And finish of the wondrous pile
They hung by lengthy ropes to see
Hach cap and frieze and metope,
And learn how they withstood the wear
Of centuries, so high in air.
An amphitheater at last
The Brownies found ’mid ruins vast.
Said one: “A gladiator show
Such as the people used to know
On festal days throughout the year
No longer may be witnessed here.

 

The well-worn course one may behold

Where once the brazen chariots rolled,
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