COMMUNITY OF BEES 11^ A HIVE. 19 



even care to get food for themselves, although there 

 might be plenty near at hand. 



But how different is it when the whole colony is 

 together! Then, by common instinct the bees seem 

 as one united band of hearty, contented workers ; 

 working together for their common wants, helping 

 one another whenever and however they can, each 

 doing its own part, always happily at peace amongst 

 themselves. What a good example do they give us ! 



THE SONG OF THE BEES. 



Flying out, flying in, 



Circling the hive with ceaseless din, 



.Now abroad, now at home, 



Busy through wood and field we roam. 

 Here in the lily cup, there in the clover, 

 Gather we sweets the meadow over. 

 Food to our young we carefully take ; 

 Pollen we bring, and wax we make ; 

 A band of us shapes each tiny cell. 

 Another follows, completing it well. 



Working all, working ever, 



Suffering idlers among us never, 



Never pausing to take our ease : 



Oh, busy are we, the honey-bees ! 



Flying out, flying in, 



Circling the hive with ceaseless din. 



Now abroad, now at home. 



Cheery we stay, and gaily we roam, 

 Never too hurried to greet a brother. 

 With feelers crossed we talk to each other ; 

 Never too selfish to share our stores ; 

 Some seek them abroad, some use them indoors ; 

 Unitedly guard we our homes from harm, 

 Stationing scouts to give the alarm. 



