THE
PERAMBULATIONS
&c. &c.
[CHAP. I.]
"Imagination to his view
"Presents it, deck'd with every hue,
"That can seduce him not to spare
"His pow'rs of best exertion there."
COWPER.
A Bee who had passed the first winter of his life under the fostering care of his mother, though often warned by her of mistaking a fine day early in the spring for the summer, or the time in which it would be of any use to make an excursion from the hive, was eager to begin his travels; he heard his companions talking of the flights they had taken in the former summer, and had tasted of the honey they had at that time brought home, and laid up in store for food when none other could be procured: he had also enjoyed some of those flights with them, and had helped to gather in the common stock, (for Bees, though ever so young, are seldom idle;) but he was not aware that many a cold and wint'ry day would yet precede the time of gathering in a fresh store; even after the sun had shone, and the birds had sung, as if it was nearly come.
During the severity of winter he remained quietly in his cell, rejoiced in the shelter it afforded him, and joined the crowded hive in paying every respect to their queen and mother, who, while she treated them with the care and tenderness of a parent, kept up her dignity as a sovereign, and ruled her subjects with the greatest order. Every part of her dominions was thoroughly known to her, and nothing suffered to remain within them that could annoy her numerous family; she rejoiced in their prosperity, and all were happy under her government except the little fellow who is to be the hero of my tale. He would often creep to the entrance of the hive and peep, first on one side and then on the other, of the covering placed before it by its careful owners, while the blustering winds were raging around; but no sooner did the least warm weather appear than it was removed for the inhabitants to have more air, and this, to our young one, was a joyful sight; he looked upon it as a prelude to the summer, and running to his companions, he said, "we shall soon be able to get out, the way is open."
"Be not too eager;" replied one of more experience than himself, "by the time one winter has passed over your head you may be a little wiser."