CHAP. III.
"And thus a never-ceasing pleasure flows, "Or to the human, or the bestial race, "From those ideal charms we all attach to place."
LOCAL ATTACHMENT.
The next morning our two friends awoke with the sun, and before halfmy readers are out of their beds, their peregrinations commenced, onein quest of whatever he could turn into something useful, the other tofind what was new and entertaining. When they met, the Bee was stilldesirous of finding his old habitation. "But why?" said the Butterfly,"surely the little cell you now live in will do very well for thesummer; you are in no danger where you are, and have the delightfulprivilege of calling it all your own."
"All this is true," replied the Bee, "but what a life am I nowleading? adding nothing to the general stock; while all my brethren arebusily employed in gathering what will be of equal benefit to each,no, no: there is a pleasure in being thus mutually assistant to otherswhich only those who have experienced it can know; and I am resolved,if possible, to enjoy it again."
The Butterfly looked surprised, for though capable of that attachmentwhich proceeds from finding an agreeable companion; and with some ideaof the services bestowed upon those we love, and which endears the nameof friend, he could not imagine that any pleasure could arise fromspending his time in labour; but as long as his friend had assuredhim of the continuance of his regard, he was desirous that he shouldobtain what he wished, and willingly offered to assist him in thesearch.
During their airy rounds they often stopped to refresh themselves onsome favorite flower, and though seldom fixing on the same, and to acasual observer did not appear to be at all connected, they were neverout of sight of each other. It was from one of these resting places,in which the Bee was delightfully employed extracting sweets from an"extended field of blossomed beans," that the Butterfly stretched hiswings to a neighbouring garden; here such various beauties met his eyesthat he could not help returning to call his friend to enjoy them withhim. "Such a bed of tulips, I have met with," said he, "whose splendidcolours can only be equalled by my wings; pray come, and see whatlovely flowers."
"Have you not yet learnt that there is something more valuable in aflower than its colour?" returned the Bee, with a smile; "for my partI would prefer these honeyed beans, though I suppose you would thinkthem hardly worth looking at, but of all other flowers tulips havethe least sweetness about them, and are fit only to please the eye ofthose men and butterflies who judge only by appearance; but though Ihave seen the former admiring a bed of tulips, I have often observedthat if they wish to ornament themselves, or their houses, the flowerswhich we chiefly prefer are also the objects of their choice! as forthese beans, though I believe they admire their smell, men are, as Isaid before, such destructive creatures, that while they are enjoyingwhat is sweet they are at the same time destroying it; and as theyexpect something still more valuable from these flowers, they arecontent to let them remain upon their stalks; but we can have our fillof their sweets, and yet not injure what they will hereafter produce.Oh! had I but a hive to go to," continued he, as he stretched hiswings to accompany his friend, "how many times should I have gonethither yesterday, and to-day from the cowslips and the beans, and whatrepeated loads should I have carried home."
"Surely, surely," thought the idle Butterfly, "you need not regretthat; to fly hither and thither as you like, with no incumbrance of anykind, and, no care beyond to-morrow, is far better;" so thought theButterfly, and so perhaps think many Butterflies of the human race; buthe forbore to repeat his sentiments on this subject, for, unconsciousto himself, he was awed by the superiority of his friend, while he feltno wish to be of the same opinion.
"And so these are the flowers you admire," continues the Bee, as theyalighted, "and which can only be equalled in Beauty by _your_ wings?Ah, my dear friend, would not your wings be just as useful if theywere not covered with red and purple? look at the plain white ones ofnumbers of your race, who are now flying around us; _you_ cannot extendyour flight farther than _these_; but see, some children are enteringthe garden, I question if you will not soon have a greater cause toregret the beauty of your wings than to admire it, and that you will bethe object of their pursuit as soon as you meet their eyes, while yourplainer brethren will pass unregarded."
This prediction was soon verified, for no sooner did the little onesperceive this self-admiring Butterfly than they all exclaimed, "Oh!what a beauty! let us catch it."
"If _you_ get on that side of the bed, and _I_ on this," said a boy,who appeared to be the eldest of the party, "I will throw my hat at it,and we shall soon have it in our possession."
"Not for the world, master Henry," said the maid, who accompanied them;"you would destroy those beautiful flowers at once if you did, and yourpapa would be so angry."
"The flowers then are more admired than you are my friend," observedthe Bee, "for you see the maid will not let them be injured, not evento procure a sight of your still _more_ beautiful wings."
"Don't laugh at me," replied the Butterfly, somewhat mortified; "I amglad, however, that I have found a place of safety; if I take care notto quit this station, they will not be able to get at me."
Altho' it was his intention to remain there, his young pursuers wouldnot let him be at rest, but with one thing and another so contrivedto shake the flowers upon which he settled, that, at last, weariedout with these repeated removals, he took to his wings, and flew to aneighbouring rose-tree.
"Now, now," cried all the children, "we shall have it; don't let it getupon the tulips again, and we shall certainly catch it."
The Bee lay all this time in the bell of a hyacinth, not unmindful ofhis friend, or his pursuers, but thinking his present alarm might be anuseful evidence of what he had been saying, and a check to his vanity,he resolved to let him feel a little more of the dangerous effecthis much-admired beauty was likely to produce; but after the youngfolk had given him one or two hasty flights round the garden, he cameforward, and appearing in front of all the young ones, soon checked theeagerness of their chace.
"A Bee, a bee," exclaimed they, "take care, or it will sting you,"while the poor trembling Butterfly began to take fresh courage onseeing his friend approach; and, seating himself on the branch of anhoney-suckle, endeavoured to regain his breath.
The oldest boy was now resolved to make one more effort, and creepingslowly to the place, put forth his hand to reach the prize, when theBee, perceiving his intention, again darted before his eyes, and madehim retreat. "Thank you, thank you, my dear friend," said the poorButterfly, "surely they will not attempt to pursue me any more; youmust have sufficiently frightened them."
"I'll do something more than frighten them if they do," replied theBee; "they shall feel what it is to enrage one of us;" nor would thesechildren, animated by the presence of each other, give up their chace,till the Bee had absolutely fulfilled his threat, by just touching thehand of one of them with his sharp sting: and Oh! what a clamour wasinstantly raised by the whole party for this cruel act, as it wascalled; the child cried, and the maid declared it was a shame of the_nasty_ Bee to sting one who never thought of hurting _him_: while allthe others gathered round their _wounded_ brother to express their pityand abhorrence of the deed; and while they retired from the garden toget something to alleviate the smart, our two friends were left torecover themselves and congratulate each other on their safety. "Inever was so near being taken in my life, and escaped at last," saidthe Butterfly; "but to _you_, my friend, I am indebted for my presentliberty; if you had not exerted yourself in my behalf I must have beenin their possession; I tremble at the thought of it, and am completelytired out in the chace they have given me."
"Now, then, I hope you will acknowledge that your beauty is no realadvantage to you," replied the Bee, "but till you are recovered I willvisit yonder beautiful acasia which seems to court my notice; besides,I am not without a hope that from it I shall see my ardently desiredhome; I seem to remember its being near it."
r /> Our airy traveller spoke this with peculiar animation, but on reachingthe tree, his pleasure was still higher, for, from thence, he beheldthe spot he was in pursuit of; although many hives were near it, hecould distinguish his own from all the rest by a thousand little marksknown only to those who inhabit it. His heart beat with transport;it appeared to him the abode of peace and plenty, and it was withinhis _reach_ also; the flower on which he had rested was entirelydisregarded, and he stood gazing on the well known spot, "stung withthe thoughts of home."
The endearments of his mother returned to his mind with double force,nor could he fear being well received by her, and if by her, allthe rest he knew dared not use him differently; "I will acknowledgemy disobedience to her commands," said he, "and when she knows whatI have gone through she will forgive me; I shall again receiveher commendations, and repose myself under her mild and equitablegovernment."
With these thoughts he could scarcely forbear flying away, and rushingat once into the presence of his friends; but he recollected the poorButterfly, and though there was nothing in their natures which couldassimilate, he still remembered that in a great measure he owed hispresent health and strength to him; "when first we met," continued he,"there was nothing in me to induce his affection; I was poor, sick, andhelpless, and yet _he_ was interested for me, and shall I leave himnow? no, I will return and tell him what I have seen, and that thoughfor the future I shall reside with more suitable associates, we maystill often meet."
Thus determined, he hastened back, with all the liveliness of joy, toinform his friend, who observed his coming, and the cheerful air withwhich he approached; "I have seen my hive," cried the Bee, withoutgiving him time to make the enquiry, "I have seen it! come, won't yougo with me, and at least see the place to which I am going to return,and though I cannot ask you to enter with me, (none but bees beingpermitted to come in there) I shall never see you when I am out of itwithout pleasure."
"My dear friend," replied the Butterfly, "after the kindness you haveshewn me this morning, it would be ungrateful not to rejoice in whatgives you pleasure; I think I am now able to use my wings again, andwill readily accompany you; and though I know I must stand at an humbledistance while you enter, yet I shall be anxious to hear how you arereceived, and whether your old companions will forgive your leavingthem."
"I have but the displeasure of _one_ to fear," replied the Bee, "and ifshe forgives me, the rest have nothing to do with it, nor have I muchto apprehend from that quarter, since the authority of a sovereign istempered by the affection of a parent."
Thus conversing they pursued their flight till arriving at a shortdistance from the well-known hive, "Don't you see it?" said the Bee,fluttering his wings for joy; "don't you behold the welcome spot?"
"I see a number of hives," returned the Butterfly, not quite soenraptured as his friend, "but which is yours I cannot tell."
"Mark the one into which I fly," said the Bee, "and then you'll knowit."
"But when shall I see you again?" enquired the Butterfly in amelancholy tone, on seeing his friend preparing for flight; "to-day?"
"Perhaps not," replied the other; "I may not be permitted to come outagain, or I may be indulged with a day's rest, and conversation withmy mother, but do not suffer yourself to doubt my friendship for you,because I do not fly out every hour and repeat my professions of it;to-morrow, at farthest, I shall renew my labours for the general good,and then if you like to accompany me in my flights, I shall be glad ofyour company."
With these words he stretched his wings, while the Butterfly bade himfarewell, and watching his approach and entrance to the hive, resolvedto hover round the place in hopes of learning what reception he had metwith.
As the returning vagrant advanced towards the centre of all his hopesand fears, he felt the latter sensibly encrease, yet he could notbut advance; at first he settled on the block upon which the hivewas placed, every part of which was perfect in his recollection; heobserved no one near, for as it was now the middle of the day, almostall were out, busily employed, except a few, whom he knew were alwayson the watch to keep out every intruder; at length he ventured withinthe hive, and immediately all the humming inmates which were then athome flocked around him; some concluded that he had mistaken his hive,while others imagined they could recollect his form and figure. "Doyou not know me?" said he, "I once belonged to your fraternity, and myheart is still knit towards you."
On hearing an unusual murmur the mother queen appeared, with allher attendant train, to enquire who the bold intruder was? The waywas cleared for her approach, and a solemn silence prevailed, whilethe stranger, with unfeigned humility, answered to the question. Nosooner did her majesty know her returning child, than in one loud humshe expressed her satisfaction, and this was heard and attended toby all around, and presently the general voice was that he should bere-admitted.
"I am not returned unto you sick, or unable to work," replied thedelighted Bee, after he had expressed his thanks for their generousreception of him; and then related to his attentive and sympathyzingparent all he had gone through since he had so rashly left the hive,whilst the rest waited till the close of the day before they indulgedtheir curiosity by hearing it, nor did he forget to acknowledge thatit was to the attention of a Butterfly that he owed his life.
"A Butterfly," returned the queen, whose dignity felt hurt that any ofher race should be indebted to so trifling a creature, "sure you musthave been sunk very low indeed, to need the assistance of a Butterfly."
"I have learnt, my dear mother," replied the young one, "that there isno creature, however mean, but may be of service some time or other;the Butterfly is well aware of the great difference there is betweenus."
"And sensible, I hope, of the honour done him, in being permitted toassist a Bee?" rejoined the mother.
This important affair being settled, though not entirely to thesatisfaction of the queen, who while she forbore to say more upon thesubject, resolved narrowly to watch the conduct of her son, fearinghe would gain too much of the frivolity of the Butterfly if he longassociated with him: and after shewing him a cell in which he might forthe future reside, she left him to prepare it for his reception.