THE BEE-k-EEPER IN SPRING. 165 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



THE BEE-KEEPER IN SPRING. 



Winter well past with the bees, spring comes hope- 

 fully. We all feel cheered with its warmer days and 

 its brighter sun, and all nature beginning to burst 

 once more into new life — when ' the flowers appear on 

 the earth, and the time of the singing of the birds is 

 come.' But no one is more cheered in spring-time 

 than the careful bee-keeper. He knows that his bees 

 are ready to take all advantage of spring weather, 

 still strong, and still with plenty of food. 



SONG OF THE BEES. 



We watch for the light of the morning to break, 



And colour the eastern sky 

 With its blended hues of saffron and lake : 

 Then say to each other, 'Awake ! Awake !' 

 For our winter's honey is all to make. 



And our bread for a long supply. 



And off we fly to the hill and dell, 



To the field, to the meadow and bower ; 

 To dip in the lily with snow-white bell, 

 To search for the balm in the fragrant cell 

 Of the mint and rosemary flower. 



While each, on the good of her sister bent, 



Is busy, and cares for all. 

 We hope for an evening of heart's content 

 In the winter of life, without lament 

 That summer is gone, or its hours misspent, 



And the harvest is past recall. ' 



Bee Journal, 1877. 



