146 AGOUTI. 



fidence if her mate be present. Both share the 

 labours incumbent on their relative positions ; the 

 male, as strongest, labours most, while to his com- 

 panion is confided the care of their offspring. When 

 spring comes on, they depart for a season to the 

 woods, where they feed on the tender branches of the 

 young green trees, and delight themselves with the 

 abundance that is shed abroad. Beavers might beau- 

 tifully exhibit to the wandering tribes that inhabit 

 the magnificent solitudes of America, the blessings 

 and security which are attendant on well ordered 

 communities and families. Bees, in like manner, 

 show forth to civilized men the advantages of obe- 

 dience and rule. One, placed by his Creator amid 

 the grandest and most imposing scenes ; the other, 

 stationed in her hive beside the cottage door, pre- 

 sent examples, which even the most enlightened 

 would do well to bear in mind. 



So work the honey-bees ; 

 Creatures, that, by a rule in nature, teach 

 The art of order to a peopled kingdom. 

 They have a queen, and officers of sort ; 

 Where some, like magistrates, correct at home ; 

 Others, like merchants, venture trades 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 empress, 

 Who, busied in her majesty, surveys 

 The singing mason building roofs of gold ; 

 The civil citizens kneading up the honey ; 

 The poor mechanic porters crowding in 

 The heavy burdens at her narrow gate ; 

 The sad-eyed justice, with his surly hum, 

 Delivering o'er to executors pale, 

 The lazy yawning drone. SHAKSPE ARE. 



