The Life of the Bee 
never far from justice in the depths of our 
heart, quickly returns, and would seek for- 
giveness, though vainly, of the stern workers 
who recognise only Nature’s harsh and pro- 
found laws. The wings of the wretched 
creatures are torn, their antenne bitten, the 
segments of their legs wrenched off; and 
their magnificent eyes, mirrors once of the 
exuberant flowers, flashing back the blue 
light and the innocent pride of summer, 
now, softened by suffering, reflect only the 
anguish and distress of their end. Some 
succumb to their wounds, and are at once 
borne away to distant cemeteries by two or 
three of their executioners. Others, whose 
injuries are less, succeed in sheltering them- 
selves in some corner, where they lie, all 
huddled together, surrounded by an inexor- 
able guard, until they perish of want. Many 
will reach the door and escape into space, 
dragging their adversaries with them ; but, 
towards evening, impelled by hunger and 
cold, they return in crowds to the entrance 
of the hive to beg for shelter. But there 
they encounter another pitiless guard. 
The next morning, before setting forth on 
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