WARS OF INSECT COMMUNITIES. 323 



thereto will assaile their next neighbours, with intent 

 to rob and spoile them of their provision. But those 

 on the contrary side put themselves in battel aray, 

 with full intent to take them again. And if there 

 chance to be a keeper by to see the combat, that 

 party which perceives him to favour their side, will 

 not once make at him for to sting him ; other causes 

 there are which make them often go together by the 

 ears, and then shall ye have two severall cap tain es 

 to arrange their battalions one against another f." 

 Virgil exhibits such a battle with great splendour of 

 diction, and the passage loses none of its magnilo- 

 quence in the hands of one of his translators : 



" If to fight they issue forth (for oft 

 Between two kings fierce discord reigns) 

 The pop'lar rage and courage, while their hearts 

 Tremble with eager appetite for war, 

 You may foreknow. A clarion, shrill as brass 

 Rouses the laggers, and a martial noise 

 Afar is heard, like trumpets' broken sounds. 

 Then trembling they rush on with quiv'ring wings, 

 And with, their sharp proboscis whet their stings 

 And trim their claws; while round their leader's court 

 They crowd and muster, and with loud acclaim 

 Provoke the foe. Now having gained a sky 

 Serene, and open fields of vernal air, 

 They issue from their gates and join the shock 

 Of battle ; humming through the ethereal void, 

 In one huge cluster they conglobe, and fall 

 Precipitant: nor thicker falls the hail, 

 Nor showers of acorns from a shaken oak. 

 The leaders also, 'twixt the middle ranks, 

 Conspicuous shine, and spread their glistening wings; 

 Their tiny breasts inspired with mighty souls, 

 Resolute not to yield till these or those 

 Vanquished inglorious turn their backs in flight." 



Trapp, Georg. iv. 100. 

 t Holland's Plinie, p. 320. 



