VII.

"In hoarding up riches you're wasting your time;
And--pray, sir, excuse me--such waste is a crime.
And then to be guilty of avarice, too!
Alas! how I pity such sinners as you!"


VIII.

Strange, strange that the Bee was so stupid and blind;
"Amen!" he exclaimed, "you have spoken my mind;
I've been very wicked, I know it, I feel it;
The bees have no right to their honey--they steal it.


IX.

"But how in the world shall I manage to live?
Should I beg of my friends, not a mite would they give;
'Tis easy enough to be idle and sing,
But living on air is a different thing."


X.

Our Spider was silent, and looked very grave--
'Twas a habit he had, the cunning old knave!
No Spider, pursuing his labor of love,
Had more of the serpent, or less of the dove.