The Nest Stealer

Bumble-Bee, or Humble-Bee,
     What is this you say to me?
“Rumble-dumble! Let me tumble
All your rose-leaves ; never grumble;
     House and honey should be free!”

Humble-bumble-grumble-Bee,
     Take your fill, and let me see
Where your funny jars of honey,
And the house you stole from bunny,
     And its baby-cells may be.

Ho, you rumble-bumble-Bee!
     In the mossy field I see
Where you’ve hidden, unforbidden,
All the stores you tok, unchidden,
     Golden dust, and honey free.

There they tumble, Bumble-Bee!
     And your surly spite I see
As in mowing, never knowing
The farm-boy your nest is strewing
     With his keen scythe swinging free.

Cease to grumble, Bumble-Bee!
     Build your own house, honestly!
Mole and squirrel, if it were ill
To be robbed, behold your quarrel
     Taken up by more than ye!