Chapter XXI.
On birds arranged in a certain form of government. Especially concerning bees, and their marvelous nature in the generation of offspring, in the establishment of a king and their loyalty towards him, in the construction of hives, the collection of honey, and also their usefulness, etc.
Now, let us explain how birds seem to take care of a certain republic and live this life under laws. For here, the use of the republic is that the laws are common to all, and that they are observed with common devotion. All are bound by one bond: it is not a right for one person which another understands as not allowed to him; but what is allowed, is allowed to all; and what is not allowed, is not allowed to all. Also, there is a common reverence for the fathers, by whose advice the republic is governed, a common dwelling for all the city, a common duty of socializing, one command for all, one plan to be followed.
67. These things are great, but how much more remarkable are bees, which alone among all living creatures share a common offspring, inhabit one common dwelling, are enclosed within the threshold of one common homeland, have a common labor, a common food, a common activity, a common use and benefit, and a common flight. What more can be said? They have a common generation for all, and also a common integrity of their virgin body and birth; because they do not mix with each other in any sexual union, nor are they dissolved by desire, nor are their births shaken by pains, but they suddenly release a swarm of offspring in great numbers from their mouths, gathering their offspring from leaves and plants.
68. They themselves appoint their king, they themselves create their people; and although they are placed under a king, they are nevertheless free. For they hold the prerogative of judgment and the affection of loyal devotion; because they love it as if it were appointed by themselves, and they honor it with so much scrutiny. But the king is not led by chance; for in chance there is an outcome, not judgement, and often by irrational chance, the last one is preferred to the better. Nor is he marked by the common outcry of the unskilled multitude, which does not consider the merits of virtue, nor gains insight into the benefits of the common good, but wavers in uncertain mobility. Nor does he sit on thrones by the privilege of succession and royal lineage; since ignorant of public life, he cannot be cautious and educated. Add flatteries and pleasures which are accustomed to weaken the sharpness of young age; then the teachings of eunuchs, of whom many, incline the mind of the king more to their own profit than to the public good. But the king is formed by the nature of bees with illustrious features; so that he excels in size and appearance; and especially in the virtues of character that are foremost in a king, gentleness. For although he has a stinger, he does not use it for vengeance. For the laws of nature are not written in books, but are imprinted on customs; so that those who possess the greatest power are more lenient in punishment. But even the bees, if they do not obey the laws of their king, punish themselves with the sting of their own wound. This is said to be observed by the Persian people even today: that they execute the sentence of their own death for a price paid. Therefore, no people show such reverence and devotion to their king as the Persians, who have the harshest laws for their subjects, not the Indians, not the Sarmatians; just as no bees dare to leave their hive or venture out for food until the king has first left and claimed his dominion by flight.
69. The process, however, is through fragrant fields, where one inhales the scent of gardens full of flowers, where a river gushes through the grass, where the banks are delightful: there is the joyful play of youth, there is rural exercise, there is relief from worries. The work itself is pleasant, as the foundations of the camp are laid with flowers and sweet herbs. For what else is a honeycomb but a certain form of a camp? Ultimately, bees are kept away from these hives. What camps can possess such skill and grace, as they have the lattice of favors, in which minute and round cells are supported by their mutual connection? What architect taught them to compose those hexagonal cells with the discreet equality of the sides, and to hang thin wax panels between the walls of the houses, to pack honeycombs, and to expand granaries woven with flowers with a certain nectar? You can see them all competing for the task, some diligently seeking food, others providing vigilant protection to the camps, others examining the future rains, and observing the gathering of the clouds, others fashioning wax from flowers, others gathering dew infused into the mouth of flowers; yet they do not plot harm through the efforts of others, nor seek out life through plunder: and I wish they did not fear the plots of robbers. However, they have their own spears, and if they are provoked, they pour venom among the honey and place the souls of their vengeance in the burning wound. Therefore, that moisture is poured into the middle of the camp's valleys, and gradually, over time, is turned into honey, when it is liquid from the beginning, and, mixed with wax and the scent of flowers, it begins to emit the sweetness of honey.
70. Scripture rightly compares a good worker to a bee, saying: Go to the bee, and see how it works. It also praises this noble activity, which kings and ordinary people undertake for their well-being. For it is appetizing to all and illustrious (Prov. 6:8). Do you hear what the prophet says? He certainly sends you to follow the example of that little bee, to imitate its work. You see how laborious and pleasing it is. Its fruit is desired and sought after by all, and is not distinguished by the diversity of people: but it sweetens equally for both kings and ordinary people with the same pleasantness. It is not only for pleasure, but also for health: it cleanses the throat and heals wounds, and also pours medicine into internal sores. Therefore, although the bee is weak in strength, it is strong in the power of wisdom and love of virtue.
Lastly, they defend their king with the utmost protection, and they consider it noble to die for him. With the king unharmed, they do not know how to change their judgment or sway their mind. But once he is lost, they abandon their duty to preserve loyalty and they themselves tear apart their own honey; because the one who held the position of duty has been killed.
Therefore, while other birds barely produce one offspring in a year, bees create twins and surpass others in their double fertility.