BEES, BEE-HIVKS, AND BEE CULTURE. 



57 



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 ; 



Nor could I find a symptom 

 Of hunger or decay. 



And yet what ardent longing 

 I feel, O Spring, for thee ! 



My darlings' gleesome frolics 

 Are happiness to me ! 



How would this anxious longing 

 Consume my very breast, 



But for a little being 

 So full of love and jest, 



In heat or cold who prattles 



Around me ev'ry day. 

 And stills the throes of longing 



By commune blithe and gay. 



Ye bee-keepers can value 

 A joy that is complete; 



It is my wife — the darling — 

 Whose lips are honey-sweet. 



With e'en the richest bee-stand 

 Were joy and pleasure gone, 



If my heart's queen were wanting 

 And I left here alone. 



Thus her I love and honour. 



No diiference have we, 

 But oft-times go together. 



Our little pets to see. 



Her kisses sweet removing 

 All sorrow from my breast. 



And honied joys surrounding 

 Proclaim us highly blest. 



T. W. WooDBURT, Mount 'Radford, 'Exeter. 



