George Withers' Emblemes

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250
Wee, bring the Hony to the Hive
Buh others, by our labours thrive.
[He prettie iees,mzh daily paines contrive
Their curious Combes, and from the flowry Fields,
Doe bring that pleafant fweetneiTe to their Hive,
Wh :ch NeftAr, and Ambrofiack dainties,yeclds,
Yet, when themfelves with labours they have th'd,
The following Winters famine to prevent,
For their good fervice, either they are fir'd,
Or, forth into an emptie Hive are fent:
And, there, with (lender diet they are ferved,
To leave another Summers worke, to thofe
Who take no care, though all the fwarme be ftarved,
If weake,and quite paft labour once it growes.
As with fuch Bees, it fares with many a one,
Thar, fpends his youthfull time in honeft thrift;
And,by the Wafpe, the Hornet, or the Drone,
Of all their labours, they are foone bereft.
Sometime, the bordring /7