BUMBLE-BEE.

The smartest of dandies is young Mr. Bee,
Who is known by the name of Bumble;
His life is a short one, but merry and free:
They're mistaken who call him "Humble."
Clad in black velvet, with trimmings of yellow,
He knows well enough he's a fine-looking fellow;
And, hiding away a sharp little dagger,
He dashes about with a confident swagger,
While to show he's at ease, and to tell of his coming,
A tune he is always carelessly humming.
Eating or drinking, or looking for pleasure
Fit for the tastes of a person of leisure,
Down where the meadow is sunny and breezy,
In the red clover, he takes the world easy;
Or, feeling the need of a little diversion,
He makes to the garden a pleasant excursion,
And into a lily or hollyhock dodging

With quiet assurance he takes up his lodging.
With a snug little fortune invested in honey,
Young Bumble Bee lives like a prince, on his money,
And, scorning some plodding relations of his, he
Leaves hard labor to them,—his cousins named "Busy."

D. B. Barnard.