  Abridged from the voluminous Epic Poem by Beg-beg (formerly a mendicant ballad-singer, afterwards Principal Lord Rector of the University of Samarcand, and subsequently Historiographer and Poet Laureate to the Court of Balk,) by C. J. Davids, Esq. I. The great Tartar chief, on a festival day, Gave a spread to his court, and resolv'd to be gay; But, just in the midst of their music and glee, The mirth was upset by a humble-bee— A humble-bee— They were bored by a rascally humble-bee! II. This riotous bee was so wanting in sense As to fly at the Cham with malice prepense: Said his highness, "My fate will be felo-de-se, If I'm thus to be teas'd by a humble-bee— A humble-bee— How shall I get rid of the humble-bee!" III. The troops in attendance, with sabre and spear, Were order'd to harass the enemy's rear: But the brave body-guards were forced to flee— They were all so afraid of the humble-bee— The humble-bee— The soldiers were scar'd by the humble-bee. IV. The solicitor-general thought there was reason For indicting the scamp on a charge of high-treason; While the chancellor doubted if any decree From the woolsack would frighten the humble-bee— The humble-bee— So the lawyers fought shy of the humble-bee. V. The Cham from his throne in an agony rose, While the insect was buzzing right under his nose:— "Was ever a potentate plagued like me, Or worried to death by a humble-bee! A humble-bee— Don't let me be stung by the humble-bee!" VI. He said to a page, nearly choking with grief, "Bring hither my valiant commander-in-chief; And say that I'll give him a liberal fee, To cut the throat of this humble-bee— This humble-bee— This turbulent, Jacobin, humble-bee!" VII. His generalissimo came at the summons, And, cursing the courtiers for cowardly rum-uns, "My liege," said he, "it's all fiddle-de-dee To make such a fuss for a humble-bee— A humble-bee— I don't care a d—n for the humble-bee!" VIII. The veteran rush'd sword in hand on the foe, And cut him in two with a desperate blow. His master exclaim'd, "I'm delighted to see How neatly you've settled the humble-bee!" The humble-bee— So there was an end of the humble-bee. IX. By the doctor's advice (which was prudent and right) His highness retired very early that night: For they got him to bed soon after his tea, And he dream'd all night of the humble-bee— The humble-bee— He saw the grim ghost of the humble-bee. MORAL. Seditious disturbers, mind well what you're arter— Lest, humming a prince, you by chance catch a Tartar. Consider, when planning an impudent spree, You may get the same luck as the humble-bee— The humble-bee— Remember the doom of the humble-bee! |
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