MURDER OF THESE INSECTS. 127 



by the Prince ; and secondly, when he supposes that 

 the anxiety felt by his son for the crown had caused 

 its removal from his pillow. The first of these 

 passages has been already noticed ; the second, I 

 shall now quote : — 



" How quickly nature falls into revolt, 

 When gold becomes her object. 

 For this, the foolish over-careful fathers 

 Have broke their sleeps with thought, their brains with care, 

 When, like the bee, tolling from every flower 

 The ^^rtuous sweets. 



Our thighs are pack'd with wax, our mouths with honey : 

 We bring it to the hive ; and, like the bees. 

 Are murder'd for our pains." 



Second Part Uenry VI., Act IV. Sc. IV. 



The mode in which this murder is committed, is in- 

 dicated by Shakspeare in another passage. Talbot 

 is gi\ing vent to his surprise and vexation at the 

 English troops being repulsed by Joan of Arc : — 



"As bees with smoke, and doves with noisome stench, 

 Are from their hives and houses driven away." 



First Part Henry VI., Act I. Sc. V. 



In Thomson's " Autumn," we have a detailed 

 account of the process. The hive has been " at 

 evening snatched," and "placed o'er sulphur." 



"Sudden the dark oppressive steam ascends. 

 And, used to milder scents, the tender race 

 By thousands tumble from their honied domes. 

 Convolved and agonizing in the dust." 



It is much to be regretted, that when we could so 



