By her prayers Saint Gabinate was able to transform
a. hive of bees into armed warriors, who were very
efficient in repulsing the enemy, and they are said to
have driven away the foe from the monastery of Saint
Serenicus.
In few instances have the bees been accused of disloyalty
to the Church and her saints, but this sometimes occurred,
as when Saint Albericus was placed naked among them.
Probably they did not recognize him in that unaccustomed
state, and so fell upon and stung him.
ai


529 The Honey-Makers


A far more pious use was made of their stings in the case
of Saint Medard : —

‘¢ When a thief by night had stolen Saint Medard’s bees,
the bees in their master’s quarrel, leaving their hive, set
upon the malefactor ; and eagerly pursuing him which way
soever he ran, would not cease stinging of him, until they
had made him (whether he would or not) to go back again
to their master’s house; and there falling prostrate at his
feet, submissively to cry him mercy for the crime committed.
Which being done, so soon as the saint extended unto him
the hand of benediction, the bees, like obedient servants,
did forthwith stay from persecuting him, and yielded them-
selves to the ancient possession and custody of their
master.”

In a book of songs used by the Moravians the wound in
the side of the Saviour is compared to a rose ; and he who
derives love and devotion from contemplating the wounds
of the self-sacrificing Christ is compared to the bee which
sucks the honey from the rose.
“Ye green branch, ye noble scion,
Ye honey rich flower,
Ye open paradise,
Grant my prayer.
