THE BROWNIES IN SWITZERLAND.

Thus well prepared for greatest height
They climbed the Matterhorn one night.
Some by a rope were well combined,

So each could prompt assistance find,
In case a Brownie failed to keep

 

His footing on the windy steep.

For hours they scaled the mountain-side,
Still climbing on without a guide;
But as some higher point appeared
For this at once the Brownies steered.
Said one: “No guiding hand we need
While we have courage to proceed

And eyes to see the summit bare

That still is high above us there;

So, without halting, up we ll go

Until we leave the clouds below.

We ‘ll surely know enough to stop

have reached the top.”

 

When we at last
Thus chatting free-
Resolved to make
Now toiling up as
Now slipping back, as if for good,
Now helping others to a shelf,

Now very much concerned for self,
While clouds of snow around them rolled
And sharper grew the biting cold.

Once, as a dangerous point they passed,
So sudden came the icy blast.

In spite of all the care they showed

It blew a number from the road,
sick

ly on they went,
the bold ascent.
best they could,