The Life of the Bee 
and careless slumber that shall fold them 
in its embrace till the time for the next 
repast. 
[95] 
But the patience of the bees is not 
equal to that of men. One morning 
the long-expected word of command goes 
through the hive; and the peaceful work- 
ers turn into judges and executioners. 
Whence this word issues, we know not; 
it would seem to emanate suddenly from 
the cold, deliberate indignation of the 
workers; and no sooner has it been ut- 
tered than every heart throbs with it, 
inspired with the genius of the unanimous 
republic. One part of the people re- 
nounce their foraging duties to devote 
themselves to the work of justice. The 
great idle drones, asleep in unconscious 
groups on the melliferous walls, are rudely 
torn from their slumbers by an army 
350 
