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| "The Travelling Bear" |
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| Grass-blades push up between the cobblestones and catch the sun on their flat sides shooting it back, gold and emerald, into the eyes of passers-by. And over the cobblestones, square-footed and heavy, dances the trained bear. The cobbles cut his feet, and he has a ring in his nose which hurts him; but still he dances, for the keeper pricks him with a sharp stick, under his fur. Now the crowd gapes and chuckles, and boys and young women shuffle their feet in time to the dancing bear. They see him wobbling against a dust of emerald and gold, and they are greatly delighted. The legs of the bear shake with fatigue and his back aches, and the shining grass-blades dazzle and confuse him. But still he dances, because of the little, pointed stick. |
| Amy Lowell |