Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Robert BurnsWilson

1049 To a Crow

BOLD, amiable, ebon outlaw, grave and wise!

For many a good green year hast thou withstood—

By dangerous, planted field and haunted wood—

All the devices of thine enemies,

Gleaning thy grudgëd bread with watchful eyes

And self-relying soul. Come ill or good,

Blithe days thou see’st, thou feathered Robin Hood!

Thou mak’st a jest of farm-land boundaries.

Take all thou may’st, and never count it crime

To rob the greatest robber of the earth,

Weak-visioned, dull, self-lauding man, whose worth

Is in his own esteem. Bide thou thy time;

Thou know’st far more of Nature’s lore than he,

And her wide lap shall still provide for thee.