THE BROWNIES IN CHINA. And then the odd-shaped roof would bend Or yield, and with its load descend, And only mystic powers could save The Brownies from an early grave. It has to be a fearful squall, It has to be a stunning fall, It needs must be a wild affair In shape of beast, or bird of air That can subdue the lively band, Or bring their actions to a stand. Oh, could we mortals, toiling here Upon this fast-revolving sphere, Like them surmount the greatest ill And bravely face the music still, We might do many things I trow We ’ll leave unfinished when we go! Not often strangers penetrate Into that country old and great, And when they do some years go by While they one half its wonders spy, ~ nN a So do not marvel that the band Were some weeks passing through the land, And oft were prompted to declare It paid them well to journey there. 130