Thou born to sip the lake or spring,
Or quaff the waters of the stream,
Why hither come on vagrant wing?-
Does Bacchus tempting seem-
Did he, for you, the glass prepare?-
Will I admit you to a share?
Did storms harrass or foes perplex,
Did wasps or king-birds bring dismay-
Did wars distress, or labours vex,
Or did you miss your way?-
A better seat you could not take
Than on the margin of this lake.
Welcome!-I hail you to my glass:
All welcome, here, you find;
Here let the cloud of trouble pass,
Here, be all care resigned.-
This fluid never fails to please,
And drown the griefs of men or bees.
What forced you here, we cannot know,
And you will scarcely tell-
But cheery we would have you go
And bid a glad farewell:
On lighter wings we bid you fly,
Your dart will now all foes defy.
Yet take not oh! too deep a drink,
And in the ocean die;
Here bigger bees than you might sink,
Even bees full six feet high.
Like Pharaoh, then, you would be said
To perish in a sea of red.
Do as you please, your will is mine;
Enjoy it without fear-
And your grave will be this glass of wine,
Your epitaph-a tear-
Go, take your seat in Charon's boat,
We'll tell the hive, you died afloat.
On A Honey Bee
Philip Freneau
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Poem topics: I miss you, cloud, farewell, fear, never, ocean, red, sea, spring, wing, king, deep, tear, bring, glad, share, drink, grave, high, enjoy, Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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