1A Russian rustic
clamb’ring up a tree 2Sunk in the treasure of the active bee.
3To his diurnal
saint
he did not fail 4To supplicate to free him from this jail.
5But that which most augments his misery
6Was that no priest nor patriarch
was nigh
7To write a letter to Saint Nicholas
, 8And that, without it, he to Heaven could not
pass. 9He hopeless was; thus overcharged with fears
10Within and numerous foes about his ears,
11This captive stood; the tree he could not rive
, 12And loath he was to be embalmed
alive. 13When (lo!) a bear came roaming
for her prey 14Just where the man in’s
luscious prison lay; 15She smelled the honey: straight she climbs the tree.
16When the poor man this double death did see,
17Fear caused despair, despair did make him bold;
18Upon the bear’s hind legs he then catched hold.
19The bear, affrighted (who can hold their laughter?),
20Got quickly out, and pulled the man out after.
21Then let none in distress his courage lose;
22For God can bring redemption by our foes.
23So he that could not his imposthume
burst 24Found remedy even by an enemy’s thrust
; 25For God can turn the sharpest sword or knife
26That means us instant death, to give us life.
27Then if restrained of liberty you be,
28Think how the bear the captive Russ
set free.