The pressed flowers took a wondrous shape, Which seemed the human form to ape; And in these specimens, Christine Is imaged, and her Dicky Dean. [Illustration] Ten sounded from the old church tower-- Before the last stroke of the hour, Close by the bee-house Richard Dean, His last new coat on, might be seen; Christine, arrayed in all her charms, Was there, and rushed into his arms. [Illustration] "Hist! what's that sound?" alack! alack! A thief, with crotchet at his back-- A Honey thief--ill may he thrive. [Illustration] Each crept into a monster hive. [Illustration] The thief peered round; "This will I take"-- "This big one will my fortune make." [Illustration] Then hoisted Dicky, hive and all, Upon his back so lean, so tall-- [Illustration] "Halt," shouted Dicky, and the head Of his strange monture bonneted; [Illustration] Held him down tight, and with a stick Passed 'twixt his legs, secured him quick. [Illustration] And Christine, what must she have felt While Bruin round about her smelt? Out of the hive she softly stole; [Illustration] In crept the bear and through the hole At the hive's top he poked his nose; Christine her ready courage shows, [Illustration] She through his nose ring passed a stick, Which from the ground she happed to pick. [Illustration] Poor Bruin rolled upon his back, And grunted out alas! alack! [Illustration] So after all these strange alarms, Again Dick rushed into her arms. [Illustration] John Dull by chance came strolling by, His hives upset first met his eye; He saw they both were tenanted-- Amazed he looked, then scratched his head; [Illustration] Peered all around, espied Christine And her own true love Dicky Dean; Behind the bee house they were placed, And Dicky's arm was round her waist. [Illustration] "Come here" he cried "you little chit," "I understand it not a bit"-- Upon their knees they both fell down, And the whole mystery made known. [Illustration] The father heard them all declare, Then gave his blessing to the pair. "Bless you my Christine: Dick I bless" "With stores of wedded happiness." [Illustration] Then came the dramatis personae; The tall, the short, the fat, the bony. [Illustration] Sam Dutton thought to get a shot, Now Bruin could no longer trot. But Sally interposed her mop, And to his shooting put a stop. [Illustration] The night watch came, and 'twixt them bore The skewer'd thief to the prison door. [Illustration] And came the bear leader as well, And took poor Bruin to his cell. [Illustration] Sam with his trumpet blew a rally, And Hip, Hurrah! cried ancient Sally. [Illustration] Long live both empty hives and full, Long live Dick Dean and Johnny Dull. Fytte X. The Queen Bee's Fete. [Illustration]