Honey-Sac and Wax-Pockets 89 



't is the bee's wax ; for I did but seal once to a thing, and 

 I was never mine own man since." 



Again in "King Lear," where Edgar, son of Gloucester, 

 kills the steward and takes letters from his pocket, he says 

 while breaking the seal, — 



" Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not : 

 To know our enemies' minds, we 'd rip their hearts ; 

 Their papers, is more lawful." 



In " Cynibeline " where Imogen receives a letter from 

 her husband Leonatus she exclaims, — 



" Good wax, thy leave : — bless'd be, 

 You bees, that make these locks of counsel 1 Lovers 

 And men in dangerous bonds pray not alike : 

 Though forfeiters you cast in prison, yet 

 You clasp young Cupid's tables." 



