EVENING THOUGHTS IN JANUARY. 129 



as Mr. Woodbury has not excluded the higher theme 

 from his translation, we need not hesitate to quote the 

 whole : — 



EVENING THOUGHTS IN JANUARY. 

 {Translated from the German 0/ Adalbert Braun.) 



BY A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER. 



Within ray little garden 



Stands also a bee-house. 

 And bees therein protected 



From sly tomtit or mouse. 



How quietly they're sitting ! 



And little trouble give. 

 Beyond the needful watching 



That undisturbed they live — 



That all, indeed, are living 



In strong, unbroken health. 

 And, in the brood-nest hanging. 



Consume their hoarded wealth — 



That in the dwindling store-room 



Sufficient stores remain. 

 Until the rape-plant donneth 



Its blossom-dress again ! 



Thus daily do I visit 



My garden and my bees. 

 Neglecting thereby often 



My dinner and my ease. 



Thank God ! they all were humming 

 Within their hives to-day j , 



Nor could I find a symptom 

 Of hunger or decay. 



