Bees described. The meteor sits; and shows the narrow path, That winding leads through pits of death, or else 1160 The lengthened night elaps'd, the morning shines Serene, in all her dewy beauty bright; Unfolding fair the last autumnal day.' 1165 And now the mounting sun dispels the fog; And hung on every spray, on every blade Of grass, the myriad dew-drops twinkle round. Ah see where robb'd, and murder'd, in that pit 1170 Lies the still heaving hive! at evening snatch'd, Beneath the cloud of guilt-concealing night, And fix'd o'er sulphur: while, not dreaming ill, The happy people, in their waxen cells, Sat tending public cares, and planning schemes 1175 Of temperance, for Winter poor; rejoic'd To mark, full flowing round, their copious stores. And, us'd to milder scents, the tender race, By thousands, tumble from their honeyed domes, 1180 Convolv'd, and agonizing in the dust. And was it then for this you roam'd the Spring, Bees described. Intent from fower to flower; for this you toil'd For this in Autumn search'd the blooming waste, 1185 Must you destroy? Of their ambrosial food 1190 Can you not borrow; and, in just return, See where the stony bottom of their town 1195 Looks desolate, and wild; with here and there A helpless number, who the ruin'd state Survive, lamenting weak, cast out to death. Thus a proud city, populous and rich, Full of the works of peace, and high in joy, 1200 At theatre or feast, or sunk in sleep, (As late, Palermo, was thy fate) is seiz'd By some dread earthquake; and convulsive hurl'd Sheer from the black foundation, stench-involv'd, 1205 A Country Life described. and high; Hence every harsher sight! for now the day, How still the breeze! save what the filmy thread While, loose to festive joy, the country round Laughs with the loud sincerity of mirth, 1210 1215 1220 Shook to the wind their cares. The toil-strung youth, By the quick sense of music taught alone, Her every charm abroad, the village-toast, The cudgel rattles, and the wrestler twines. 1225 |