At times, the wheel upon a fence

At times, the wheel upon a fence Defied them all to drag it thence, As though determined to remain And serve the farmer, guarding grain. But patient head and willing hand Can wonders work in every land; And cunning Brownies never yield, But aye as victors leave the field.

Some ran for sticks, and some for pries, And more for blocks on which to rise, That every hand or shoulder there, In such a pinch might do its share.

Before the door they set the wheel, And near at hand the winding reel, That some might wind while others spun, And thus the task be quickly done.

No time was wasted, now, to find What best would suit each hand or mind. Some through the cottage crept about To find the wool and pass it out; With some to turn, and some to pull, And some to shout, "The spindle's full!" The wheel gave out a droning song,— The work in hand was pushed along.