COWSLIPS
O sweet the smell of the cowslip bell!
Was ever flower so sweet?
I picked it where its soft leaves fell
Around its dainty feet.
How slender is its golden throat!
How soft its scented face!
It hangs from out its green pale coat
With pretty drooping grace.
OF ROYAL BLOOD
She was certainly a very grand princess. From the first the nurse-bees fed her with rich golden honey instead of the bee-bread that the common children received. She had a royal bedroom, too, very much larger than the others. At meal-times the nurses were always waiting with her honey; all day long they guarded and watched her, and fanned fresh air with their wings into her bedroom. So she grew big and strong.
One day she said: "I have finished growing, and shall put on my royal robes. Close the door so that nobody can see me while I dress."
The nurses closed the door, and she put on her royal robes. When she was ready they rushed to open the door again. She came out beautiful and shining.
"Now I am going to be Queen," she said to the bee-people who had gathered round her.
"Yes," they said. "The old Queen has gone to a new home and left this one to you. Hail! Queen of the hive!" They bowed before her with great respect, and walked backwards when they left the room.