 | A Flight of Fancies |  |
32
THE BOY AND THE BEE
How many times do you intend
To cross the lawn, my busy friend?
To cross the lawn, my busy friend?
Obedience tells me that the price
Of every load is crossing twice.
Of every load is crossing twice.
The Clover's patient, but her breast
Is ready for an hour of rest.
Is ready for an hour of rest.
I hear her begging me to stay
And kiss her in the usual way.
And kiss her in the usual way.
Why toil from morn till night? Be brave!
A servant's better than a slave.
A servant's better than a slave.
Suppose a star refused to run!
Half-holidays would spoil a sun.
Half-holidays would spoil a sun.
But other bees will cause to thrive
Your sugary larder in the hive.
Your sugary larder in the hive.
Disgraceful! Would you have me shirk
The ancient discipline of work?
The ancient discipline of work?
33
A little leisure could not harm
The toilers of the honey-farm.
The toilers of the honey-farm.
A little leisure is the door
That opens on the path to more.
That opens on the path to more.
You vex me. Take the homeward track
And leave me lying on my back.
And leave me lying on my back.
Although your Mother's raking stones
Along the border? Such are drones!
Along the border? Such are drones!
| A Flight of Fancies | |