4.197. Illum adeo placuisse apibus mirabere morem, 4.198. quod neque concubitu indulgent nec corpora segnes 4.199. in Venerem solvunt aut fetus nixibus edunt: 4.200. verum ipsae e foliis natos, e suavibus herbis 4.201. ore legunt, ipsae regem parvosque Quirites 4.202. sufficiunt aulasque et cerea regna refigunt. 4.203. saepe etiam duris errando in cotibus alas 4.204. attrivere ultroque animam sub fasce dedere: 4.205. tantus amor florum et generandi gloria mellis. 4.206. Ergo ipsas quamvis angusti terminus aevi 4.207. excipiat, neque enim plus septima ducitur aestas, 4.208. at genus immortale manet multosque per annos 4.209. stat fortuna domus et avi numerantur avorum. 4.210. Praeterea regem non sic Aegyptus et ingens 4.211. Lydia nec populi Parthorum aut Medus Hydaspes 4.212. observant. Rege incolumi mens omnibus una est; 4.213. amisso rupere fidem constructaque mella 4.214. diripuere ipsae et crates solvere favorum. 4.215. Ille operum custos, illum admiruntur et omnes 4.216. circumstant fremitu denso stipantque frequentes 4.217. et saepe attollunt umeris et corpora bello 4.218. obiectant pulchramque petunt per vulnera mortem.
4.281. Sed siquem proles subito defecerit omnis, 4.282. nec genus unde novae stirpis revocetur habebit, 4.283. tempus et Arcadii memoranda inventa magistri 4.284. pandere, quoque modo caesis iam saepe iuvencis 4.285. insincerus apes tulerit cruor. Altius omnem 4.286. expediam prima repetens ab origine famam. 4.287. Nam qua Pellaei gens fortunata Canopi 4.288. accolit effuso stagtem flumine Nilum 4.289. et circum pictis vehitur sua rura phaselis, 4.290. quaque pharetratae vicinia Persidis urget, 4.291. et viridem Aegyptum nigra fecundat harena, 4.292. et diversa ruens septem discurrit in ora 4.293. usque coloratis amnis devexus ab Indis 4.294. omnis in hac certam regio iacit arte salutem. 4.295. Exiguus primum atque ipsos contractus in usus 4.296. eligitur locus; hunc angustique imbrice tecti 4.297. parietibusque premunt artis et quattuor addunt, 4.298. quattuor a ventis obliqua luce fenestras. 4.299. Tum vitulus bima curvans iam cornua fronte 4.300. quaeritur; huic geminae nares et spiritus oris 4.301. multa reluctanti obstruitur, plagisque perempto 4.302. tunsa per integram solvuntur viscera pellem. 4.303. Sic positum in clauso linquunt et ramea costis 4.304. subiciunt fragmenta, thymum casiasque recentes. 4.305. Hoc geritur Zephyris primum impellentibus undas, 4.306. ante novis rubeant quam prata coloribus, ante 4.307. garrula quam tignis nidum suspendat hirundo. 4.308. Interea teneris tepefactus in ossibus umor 4.309. aestuat et visenda modis animalia miris, 4.310. trunca pedum primo, mox et stridentia pennis, 4.311. miscentur tenuemque magis magis aera carpunt, 4.312. donec, ut aestivis effusus nubibus imber, 4.313. erupere aut ut nervo pulsante sagittae, 4.314. prima leves ineunt si quando proelia Parthi.''. None | 4.197. Community of offspring, and they house 4.198. Together in one city, and beneath 4.199. The shelter of majestic laws they live; 4.200. And they alone fixed home and country know, 4.201. And in the summer, warned of coming cold, 4.202. Make proof of toil, and for the general store 4.203. Hoard up their gathered harvesting. For some' "4.204. Watch o'er the victualling of the hive, and these" '4.205. By settled order ply their tasks afield; 4.206. And some within the confines of their home' "4.207. Plant firm the comb's first layer, Narcissus' tear," '4.208. And sticky gum oozed from the bark of trees, 4.209. Then set the clinging wax to hang therefrom. 4.210. Others the while lead forth the full-grown young,' "4.211. Their country's hope, and others press and pack" '4.212. The thrice repured honey, and stretch their cell 4.213. To bursting with the clear-strained nectar sweet. 4.214. Some, too, the wardship of the gates befalls, 4.215. Who watch in turn for showers and cloudy skies, 4.216. Or ease returning labourers of their load, 4.217. Or form a band and from their precincts drive 4.218. The drones, a lazy herd. How glows the work!
4.281. They reverence, and with murmuring throngs surround, 4.282. In crowds attend, oft shoulder him on high, 4.283. Or with their bodies shield him in the fight, 4.284. And seek through showering wounds a glorious death. 4.285. Led by these tokens, and with such traits to guide, 4.286. Some say that unto bees a share is given 4.287. of the Divine Intelligence, and to drink 4.288. Pure draughts of ether; for God permeates all— 4.289. Earth, and wide ocean, and the vault of heaven— 4.290. From whom flocks, herds, men, beasts of every kind, 4.291. Draw each at birth the fine essential flame; 4.292. Yea, and that all things hence to Him return, 4.293. Brought back by dissolution, nor can death 4.294. Find place: but, each into his starry rank, 4.295. Alive they soar, and mount the heights of heaven. 4.296. If now their narrow home thou wouldst unseal, 4.297. And broach the treasures of the honey-house, 4.298. With draught of water first toment thy lips, 4.299. And spread before thee fumes of trailing smoke. 4.300. Twice is the teeming produce gathered in, 4.301. Twofold their time of harvest year by year, 4.302. Once when Taygete the Pleiad uplift 4.303. Her comely forehead for the earth to see, 4.304. With foot of scorn spurning the ocean-streams, 4.305. Once when in gloom she flies the watery Fish, 4.306. And dips from heaven into the wintry wave. 4.307. Unbounded then their wrath; if hurt, they breathe 4.308. Venom into their bite, cleave to the vein 4.309. And let the sting lie buried, and leave their live 4.310. Behind them in the wound. But if you dread 4.311. Too rigorous a winter, and would fain 4.312. Temper the coming time, and their bruised heart 4.313. And broken estate to pity move thy soul, 4.314. Yet who would fear to fumigate with thyme,''. None |
