Classic Poem

" OH ! whither away, pretty bee? " said I,
As I stood by a neighboring stile;
" Away with my gatherings, Ladie, I fly
To the Church on St. Simon's Isle. "

" But what will you do at the Church, pretty bee?
Do you ever go there to pray? "
" There's a cleft in the old tower-wall, Ladie,
Where we store all our honey away. "

" But why such a quaint old place, pretty bee,
Do you choose for your waxen cells? "
" The chimes they ring over our heads, Ladie,
And we love the sweet sound of the bells. "

" But what, when the summer is gone, pretty bee,
Do you do with the honey, I pray? "
" The Parson sends all we have gathered, Ladie,
To holy men far, far away. "

" What, strip the sweet hive you have filled to the brim!
Lose all your rich stores, pretty bee! "
" Oh no, no, no! what is given to H IM
Can never be lost , Ladie. "

" But tell me, I prithee, how can you live on
Till Spring comes again, pretty bee? "
" We never shall want, though our honey is gone,
For God made us all, Ladie. "

" But how through the Winter so barren and cold
Will you nourish your young, pretty bee? "
" Last year I was young, and now I am old, —
For God made us all, Ladie. "

So saying, and cheerily buzzing away,
Went the bee to the old Church-tower;
And I followed her flight with my eye all the way,
As she flew over bush, bank, and bower.

And though she was soon out of sight, it was long
Before she was out of my mind;
And I blushed for the little I'd given: 'twas wrong,
For God has to me been so kind.

And my all though I gave him, I never should want,
For 'twas He who gave all things to me:
If sluggards can learn from the diligent ant,
Let me be taught Faith by the Bee.