We'll dose the dog to keep him still

We'll dose the dog to keep him still. For barking dogs, however kind, Can oft disturb a Brownie's mind." —When next the bat of evening flew, And drowsy things of day withdrew, When beetles droned across the lea, And turkeys sought the safest tree To form aloft a social row And criticise the fox below,— Then cunning Brownies might be seen Advancing from the forest green; Now jumping fences, as they ran, Now crawling through (a safer plan); Now keeping to the roads awhile, Now "cutting corners," country style; Some bearing hoes, and baskets more, Some pushing barrows on before, While others, swinging sickles bright, Seemed eager for the grain in sight. But in advance of all the throng Three daring Brownies moved along, Whose duty was to venture close And give the barking dog his dose.