A number of Drones, who had long lived at their ease in a hive of Bees,
without contributing by their labour to make any honey, at length began
to dispute the right of the Bees, and insisted that both the honey and
the combs were their property. The Bees, after much altercation, at
last offered to leave the dispute to reference, and this being assented
to by the Drones, the Wasp was chosen umpire. Accordingly, he began by
declaring, that as both parties, he hoped, were his friends, and he
wished them well, he would instantly proceed upon the investigation. I
must own, says he, that the point is somewhat dubious, for I have often
seen you both in the same hive, and excepting that the Drones are of a
more portly size and appearance, you are all otherwise nearly alike in
person: but as I have not been able to see who worked, and who did not,
I know of no mode in which I shall be enabled to judge so correctly, as
by setting each party to work at the making of the honey. Therefore,
addressing himself to the Bees, you take one hive; and you, speaking to
the Drones, will be so good as to take another, and both go to work to
make honey as fast as you can. The Bees readily accepted the proposal;
but the Drones hung back, and would not agree to it. So, so! says
Judge Wasp, I see clearly how the matter stands; and without further
ceremony, declared in favour of the Bees.