I. The great Tartar chief, on a festival day, Gave a spread to his court, and resolv'd to be gay; But, just in the midst of their music and glee, The mirth was upset by a humble-bee— A humble-bee— They were bored by a rascally humble-bee!
II. This riotous bee was so wanting in sense As to fly at the Cham with malice prepense: Said his highness, "My fate will be felo-de-se, If I'm thus to be teas'd by a humble-bee— A humble-bee— How shall I get rid of the humble-bee!"
III. The troops in attendance, with sabre and spear, Were order'd to harass the enemy's rear: But the brave body-guards were forced to flee— They were all so afraid of the humble-bee— The humble-bee— The soldiers were scar'd by the humble-bee.
IV. The solicitor-general thought there was reason For indicting the scamp on a charge of high-treason; While the chancellor doubted if any decree From the woolsack would frighten the humble-bee— The humble-bee— So the lawyers fought shy of the humble-bee.
V. The Cham from his throne in an agony rose, While the insect was buzzing right under his nose:— "Was ever a potentate plagued like me, Or worried to death by a humble-bee! A humble-bee— Don't let me be stung by the humble-bee!"
VI. He said to a page, nearly choking with grief, "Bring hither my valiant commander-in-chief; And say that I'll give him a liberal fee, To cut the throat of this humble-bee— This humble-bee— This turbulent, Jacobin, humble-bee!"
VII. His generalissimo came at the summons, And, cursing the courtiers for cowardly rum-uns, "My liege," said he, "it's all fiddle-de-dee To make such a fuss for a humble-bee— A humble-bee— I don't care a d—n for the humble-bee!"
VIII. The veteran rush'd sword in hand on the foe, And cut him in two with a desperate blow. His master exclaim'd, "I'm delighted to see How neatly you've settled the humble-bee!" The humble-bee— So there was an end of the humble-bee.
IX. By the doctor's advice (which was prudent and right) His highness retired very early that night: For they got him to bed soon after his tea, And he dream'd all night of the humble-bee— The humble-bee— He saw the grim ghost of the humble-bee.
MORAL. Seditious disturbers, mind well what you're arter— Lest, humming a prince, you by chance catch a Tartar. Consider, when planning an impudent spree, You may get the same luck as the humble-bee— The humble-bee— Remember the doom of the humble-bee!