As Julia once a-slumb'ring lay, <br />It chanced a bee did fly that way, <br />After a dew, or dew-like shower, <br />To tipple freely in a flower; <br />For some rich flower, he took the lip <br />Of Julia, and began to sip; <br />But when he felt he suck'd from thence <br />Honey, and in the quintessence, <br />He drank so much he scarce could stir; <br />So Julia took the pilferer. <br />And thus surprised, as filchers use, <br />He thus began himself t'excuse: <br />'Sweet lady-flower, I never brought <br />Hither the least one thieving thought; <br />But taking those rare lips of yours <br />For some fresh, fragrant, luscious flowers, <br />I thought I might there take a taste, <br />Where so much sirup ran at waste. <br />Besides, know this, I never sting <br />The flower that gives me nourishing; <br />But with a kiss, or thanks, do pay <br />For honey that I bear away.' <br />--This said, he laid his little scrip <br />Of honey 'fore her ladyship, <br />And told her, as some tears did fall, <br />That, that he took, and that was all. <br />At which she smiled, and bade him go <br />And take his bag; but thus much know, <br />When next he came a-pilfering so, <br />He should from her full lips derive <br />Honey enough to fill his hive.<br /><br />Robert Herrick<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-captive-bee-or-the-little-filcher/
