| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 744. Grizzly |
| | | By Francis Bret Harte |
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| COWARD,—of heroic size, | |
| In whose lazy muscles lies | |
| Strength we fear and yet despise; | |
| Savage,—whose relentless tusks | |
| Are content with acorn husks; | 5 |
| Robber,—whose exploits ne’er soared | |
| O’er the bee’s or squirrel’s hoard; | |
| Whiskered chin, and feeble nose, | |
| Claws of steel on baby toes,— | |
| Here, in solitude and shade, | 10 |
| Shambling, shuffling plantigrade, | |
| Be thy courses undismayed! | |
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| Here, where Nature makes thy bed, | |
| Let thy rude, half-human tread | |
| Point to hidden Indian springs, | 15 |
| Lost in ferns and fragrant grasses, | |
| Hovered o’er by timid wings, | |
| Where the wood-duck lightly passes, | |
| Where the wild bee holds her sweets, | |
| Epicurean retreats, | 20 |
| Fit for thee, and better than | |
| Fearful spoils of dangerous man. | |
| In thy fat-jowled deviltry | |
| Friar Tuck shall live in thee; | |
| Thou mayest levy tithe and dole; | 25 |
| Thou shalt spread the woodland cheer, | |
| From the pilgrim taking toll; | |
| Match thy cunning with his fear; | |
| Eat, and drink, and have thy fill; | |
| Yet remain an outlaw still! | 30 |
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