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La Frelons et les Mouches à miel
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The Hornets and the Honeybees

One can tell craftsmen’s work with ease.

Their owner having left a few honeycombs without any heirs,
Some Hornets claimed they were theirs.
On an opposing plea by Honeybees,
To a certain Judge Wasp they then assigned the case,
Which was no easy matter to decide on its face.
Witnesses deposed: around the combs, before their eyes,
Some winged creatures, buzzing, somewhat long in size,
Quite tan in color, and looking very much like honeybees,
Had long appeared. So what? To compare the Hornets’ guise,
These signs were the same, if you please.
Such evidence no proof, the Wasp could but temporize,
Continue to investigate and hear, to break the impasse,
A colony of ants en masse.
But no more light did anyone see.
"Please, what use can all this be?"
A very wise Honeybee then said.
"After nearly six months that the case has been pled,
We’re still just where we always were.
Honey, meanwhile, goes to waste.
It’s now past time for the judge to make haste.
Hasn’t he amply licked the bear’s fur?
Without so many interlocutories, opposite positions,
These interrogatories, depositions,
Let’s get down to work, Hornets and we.
We’ll see who can make nectar, so sweet and savory,
And these fine cells, who cannot."
The Hornets’ outright refusal then
Showed this art surpassed their ken,
And Wasp adjudged honey to plaintiffs on the spot.

Would to God we could settle all our lawsuits this way,
And that, so doing, we might follow the Turkish mode!
Simple common sense would replace our present legal code,
And we’d have far fewer fees to pay.
Whereas we’re devoured , just can’t budge,
Sapped, sucked dry to continuance.
So much so, that in the end the oyster belongs to the judge,
And the shells go to the litigants.