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TO A HONEY-BEE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Busy-body, busy-body
Last Line: And turn my work to play.
Subject(s): Bees; Insects; Beekeeping; Bugs


"BUSY-BODY, busy-body,
Always on the wing,
Wait a bit, where you have lit,
And tell me why you sing."

Up, and in the air again,
Flap, flap, flap!
And now she stops, and now she drops
Into the rose's lap.

"Come, just a minute come,
From your rose so red."
Hum, hum, hum, hum --
That was all she said.

Busy-body, busy-body,
Always light and gay,
It seems to me, for all I see,
Your work is only play.

And now the day is sinking to
The goldenest of eves,
And she doth creep for quiet sleep
Among the lily-leaves.

"Come, just a moment come,
From your snowy bed."
Hum, hum, hum, hum --
That was all she said.

But, the while I mused, I learned
The secret of her way:
Do my part with cheerful heart,
And turn my work to play.





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