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and using them in their proper setting in his wonderful compositions. 

 I hope to show by a series of extracts that besides being a 

 marvellously acute observer of human character, Shakspere must 

 have been a by no means casual observer of those smaller items of 

 wild nature, which you and I feel so much pleasure in studying 

 to-day. 



What better image of enjoyment have we than that put into the 

 mouth of the delicate Ariel — 



" Where the bee sucks, there suck I." — Tempest, v., 1. 



The social economy of the bee has attracted writers of all ages, 

 but few can rival the rich and glowing picture in the speech of the 

 Archbishop of Canterbury, a description poetical in the highest 

 degree, and pleasing to both ear and imagination — 



" So work the honey bees ; 

 Creatures that, by a rule in nature, teach 

 The art of order to a peopled kingdom. 

 They have a king and officers of sorts. 

 Where some like magistrates, correct at home ; 

 Others like merchants, venture trade abroad ; 

 Others like soldiers, armed in their stings. 

 Make boot upon the summer's velvet buds. 

 Which pillage they with merry march bring home 

 To the tent royal of their emperor ; 

 Who, busied in his majesty, surveys 

 The singing masons building roofs of gold ; 

 The civil citizens kneading up the honey ; 

 The poor mechanic porters crowding in 

 Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate ; 

 The sad-eyed justice, with his surly hum, 

 Delivering o'er to executors pale 

 The lazy yawning drone." — Hennj V., i., 3. 



Like all ancient writers, Shakspere ascribed maleness to the 

 queen bee. In the last passage he calls the head of the bee-king- 

 dom "a king," and again in the answer of the Goth warrior to the 

 Leader Lucius — 



" We'll follow where thou lead'st 

 Like stinging bees in hottest summer's day. 

 Led by their master to the flowered field." 



Titua AmlronicKs, ii., 5. 



The " drone " is often chosen as a type of laziness, as when 

 Shylock says of his servant Launcelot — 



" Drones hive not with me." — Merchant of Vrjiice, ii., 5. 



