:3S. THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER. 31 



T HE BE ES. And seek soft hyacinths of purple hue; 



All rest together, all together toil, 

 The following inspiring effusion, transcribed At morn they rush abroad the flnwpr<i 

 f:nabook entitled "A Short History of Bees," f^ cor^il ■ -iuroaa me nowers 



h been sent to the American Bee-Keeper by a .... apoii, 



Kthern friend.) When twilight evening warns them 



to their home, 



I)w listen while the wond'rous ^^ith weary limbs and heavy thighs 



powers I sing, . they com^, 



/ d genius given to bees, by Heav- -^"^ crowd about the gate, and mix a 



en's Almighty King. drowsy hum, 



ley, they alone, a general interest ^"^t ^^st into their inmost chambers 



share, creep, 



leir young committing to the public -^"^ silent lie dissolv'd in balmy sleep, 

 care; When East winds blow, or gathering 



Ad, all concurring in the common rains impend, 



cause. The skies they trust not, nor their 



Le in fixed cities, under settled laws: flights extend; 



C winter mindful, and inclement ^"^ drink of streams that flow their 



skies. city nigh, 



Ii;ummer hoard for all the state sup- Work near their walls, and short ex- 

 plies, cursions try; 

 A^rnate some provide the nation's On rugged rocks, oft as abroad they 



food, fly, 



A! search it o'er each forest, field They tear their wings, sink with their 



and flood. loads and die. 



3c le for the comb's foundations gath- Such love of flowers inflames their 



er glew, little hearts, 



^. temper gums with daflfodil's rich So great their glory in these won- 



dew. d'rous arts, 



rin with nice art the waxen arches THE^ QUEEN. 



bend. The state united stands, while she 



Diwith nectareous sweets the fret- remains, 



work-cell distend. But, should she fall, what dire con- 



ic e by joint compact, at the city's fusion reigns! 



gate. Their waxen combs, and honey, late 



tint and watchful of Heaven'.^ their joy, 



^ changes wait. With grief and rage distracted, they 



ismine every motion of the skies, destroy: 



V.t showers approach, what storms She guards the works, with awe they 



or winds arise; her surround, 



)rase the burdened laborer's limbs. And crowd about her with triumphant 



or drive sound, 



"h drones, a race of sluggards, from Her frequent on their duteous shoul- 



:he hive. ders bear, 



li crowded dome with toil intense- Bleed, fall, and die, for her in glorious 

 y glows, war. 



'V^ from the breathiner sweets ? to their toils in early sum- 



•)lended fragrance flows. mer run, 



1 knows his task; the old their The clust'ring bees, and labour in the 



'iwns attend, sun: 



i^e their nice cells, their doedal Lead forth in colonies their buzzing 



>orks defend: race, 



ulate at evening, those of youthful Or work the liquid sweets, and thicken 



rime, to a mass, 



et-n fatigued, their thigh sur- The busy nation flies from flower to 



harged with thyme. flower, 



'" prey on arbutes. willow-buds And hoards in curious cells the golden 

 '>our, store", 



cassia and the safifron's golden \ chosen troop before the gate at- 

 Aver: tends, 



' fruitful limes suck rich melli- To take the burdens, and relieve their 

 JOus dew, friends. 



