ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD BOOK. INVOCATION of Rural Deities-Bees in Llangollen Vale--Address to Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Ponsonby-Their elegantly simple Retreat-Apiary-and artificial Rock-work clothed with rare mountain plants-First labours of a new-settled Swarm-Gathering, and Use of Propolis-Its occasional application a proof of Insect Reason-Exemplified in the fate of two Snails-Fossil bones at Gibraltar-Universal DelugeOrigin, and Secretion of Wax-Wildman's improved Glass Hives-Queen surveying her labourers-Building of cells-Their perfect symmetry inconsistent with the doctrine of Chance-The Organs and Economy of the minutest Animal equally illustrative of an all-directing Providence with the most stupendous Works of Nature, or of Art-Combs compared to the Roman Amphitheatre-Superior size and unvarying fashion of the Royal Cells-These destroyed on the flight of the Queens-Summer collection of honey and farina from the flowers of that season-And of honey-dew from the leaves-Israel fed with Manna in the wildernessLoves of the Bees-Massacre of the Drones-Reflections suggested by it -Bee-Master entitled to three successive harvests in a propitious season -But required to leave his hives a sufficient supply for winter-Bees foresee bad weather-Perceive not near objects distinctly-But supply this defect by the use of their feeling horns-Apostrophe to a deceased Friend-Close of daily labour both in Bee and Rustic-The homely yet healthful fare of the latter contrasted with the sensual and sickening gratifications of leisured wealth-Higher enjoyments of a well-cultivated mind-Classical recollections called forth by the view of an evening Landscape, leading to the contemplation of its Divine Author, and to the certainty of a future and more perfect state of existence. THE BEES. BOOK III. WITH wreaths of lily and sweet fennel gay, Smile, dewy-sandal'd Nymphs, who joy to lead B2 Line 1. With wreaths] "Venit et agresti capitis Sylvanus honore, "Florentes ferulas et grandia lilia quassans." VIRGIL. The Ferula of the antients was the Giant Fennel (Ferula communis), an umbelliferous plant, growing wild in the South of Europe. It rises to the height of seven or eight feet; and its trunk swells so large in Apulia as to be used for bee-hives, when cleared of its fungous pith. Here, however, our common Garden Fennel (Anethum Fæniculum) is preferably alluded to, being a native of this island, and much courted by bees. Oreads, or Dryads! And thou shepherd God, Now warm with life renew'd thy honey'd reign, O! smile propitious on a kindred strain, yon infant state, Bend, Aristæus, o'er And shed thy Father's brightness on its fate, Nor yet alone, to guard her golden fleece, The Muse invokes the fabled Gods of Greece; Doom'd to less genial climes, she still can boast For her lov'd Bees a tutelary host 5 10 With Tempe's gloom where vies Llangollen's shade, 15 And Dee like Peneus glitters thro' the glade. ACCOMPLISH'D FEMALES, whose consenting minds In mutual sympathy soft friendship binds, Whom your own Erin woo'd, but woo'd in vain, To swell the pomp of Fashion's gaudy train, 20 9. Bend, Aristaus] Aristæus, son of Apollo, was worshipped as a God by the Greeks for having taught them the culture of olives, and the management of Bees. See Virgil's IVth Georg. p. 317, &c. 17. ACCOMPLISH'D FEMALES] See ADDITIONAL NOTE I. |