The Swarm 



her that she must depart ; it compels her 

 to bring her own rivals into the world, 

 and rears them royally, protecting them 

 from their mother's political hatred. So, 

 too, in accordance with the generosity of 

 the flowers, the age of the spring, and 

 the probable dangers of the nuptial flight, 

 will it permit or forbid the first-born 

 of the virgin princesses to slay in their 

 cradles her younger sisters, who are sing- 

 ing the song of the queens. At other 

 times, when the season wanes, and flowery 

 hours grow shorter, it will command the 

 workers themselves to slaughter the whole 

 imperial brood, that the era of revolutions 

 may close, and work become the sole 

 object of all. The " spirit of the hive " 

 is prudent and thrifty, but by no means 

 parsimonious. And thus, aware, it would 

 seem, that nature's laws are somewhat 

 wild and extravagant in all that pertains 

 to love, it tolerates, during summer days 



41 



