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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AGAINST IDLENESS AND MISCHIEF, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: How doth the little busy bee / improve each shining hour
Last Line: Some good account at last.
Variant Title(s): The Busy Bee
Subject(s): Bees; Children; Insects; Beekeeping; Childhood; Bugs


How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower.
How skilfully she builds her cell;
How neat she spreads her wax,
And labors hard to store it well
With the sweet food she makes.
In works of labor or of skill,
I would be busy too;
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.
In books, or work, or healthful play,
Let my first years be passed;
That I may give for every day
Some good account at last.




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