How nimbly each one nips the blade;

And, as the rain-drops trickle o’er

Them, how intent they mind their trade.

Their life-time’s short, but sweet content

Ne’er fails them: on and on they pass,

And as they wander innocent-

Ly yield, and aid the growing grass.

When Dame Aurora steeps the main

With her resistless flood of light,

They’re up, and at their trade again,