BOOK IX. IX. 1-4 



orders which they give ; for as the human race, which 

 possesses reason, allows no partnership of the kingly 

 power, much less do the dumb animals who are lack- 

 ing in understanding. Therefore the new chieftains 2 

 come forth with their following of young bees, which, 

 remaining in a mass for one or two days at the very 

 entrance of their abode, by their coming out show 

 their desire for a home of their own, and if the man in 

 charge immediately assigns it to them, are as content 

 with it as if it were their native place. If, however, 

 the keeper has been away, they make for some strange 

 region as if they had been driven away unjustly. To 3 

 prevent this, it is the duty of a good overseer in 

 spring-time to keep an eye upon the hives until about 

 the eighth hour of the day (after which the new 

 battalions of bees do not take to impetuous flight), 

 and carefully watch their departures, for some of them, 

 when they have broken out, usually immediately rush 

 away. He will be able to find out beforehand their 4 

 decision to escape by putting his ear to each of the 

 hives in the evening ; for about three days before 

 they intend to break out an uproar and buzzing arises 

 like that of an army setting out on the march. From 

 this, as Vergil very truly says. 



You can foreknow the purpose of the herd ; 

 The martial roar of the hoarse brass reproves 

 The loiterers, and a voice is heard whose notes 

 The broken sound of trumpets imitates." 



" Oeorg. IV. 70 ff. 



^^ eoque ut eorumque egressus c : eoque regressus 8A : 

 eorumque egressus eoque regressus a. 

 11 mili taria iS^ac : milia^SM. 

 1* increpat ac : invocat SA. 



461 



