A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick

93. THE CAPTIVE BEE; OR, THE LITTLE FILCHER

     As Julia once a-slumb'ring lay,
     It chanced a bee did fly that way,
     After a dew, or dew-like shower,
     To tipple freely in a flower;
     For some rich flower, he took the lip
     Of Julia, and began to sip;
     But when he felt he suck'd from thence
     Honey, and in the quintessence,
     He drank so much he scarce could stir;
     So Julia took the pilferer.
     And thus surprised, as filchers use,
     He thus began himself t'excuse:
     'Sweet lady-flower, I never brought
     Hither the least one thieving thought;
     But taking those rare lips of yours
     For some fresh, fragrant, luscious flowers,
     I thought I might there take a taste,
     Where so much sirup ran at waste.
     Besides, know this, I never sting
     The flower that gives me nourishing;
     But with a kiss, or thanks, do pay
     For honey that I bear away.'
     —This said, he laid his little scrip
     Of honey 'fore her ladyship,
     And told her, as some tears did fall,
     That, that he took, and that was all.
     At which she smiled, and bade him go
     And take his bag; but thus much know,
     When next he came a-pilfering so,
     He should from her full lips derive
     Honey enough to fill his hive.