The Creator is so admirable in all his creatures that, if we knew how to contemplate the fabric of the body of each one of them, and the abilities that they have for their conservation and provision, we would not cease to marvel at the immense majesty and wisdom of him who formed them. The truth of this is seen in all the animals of which up to here we have treated, and in as many others as there are, if there were eyes to know how to look at them. But beyond all that has been said, two little animals that enter into the account of the smallest have advantage, which are the worm that spins silk, and the bee that makes honey, of which we shall treat here as of a thing more admirable than all those past. For beginning with the worm that spins silk, is it not a thing of great admiration that so small a little worm spins a thread so subtle and so fine, that all human arts and wits have never up to today been able to imitate it? Is it not a marvel that the Creator should have given faculty to this little animal to give matter to all the elegance of the world, which is to velvet, to taffeta, to damask, to high-low crimson, to clothe nobles, great lords, kings and emperors, and
to differentiate them with the beauty of this habit from the other small people? Is it not a thing of admiration that there is no land of blacks nor region so barbarous and so far apart, where kings do not seek to authorize themselves with the clothing that is made by the industry of these little worms? And not only the people of the world, but also the churches, and the altars, and the priests, and the feasts and divine offices are celebrated and authorized with this same ornament.
Then what shall I say of the bees, which, though having smaller bodies, provide all the world with a most sweet and very healthful liquor, which is honey, which serves to give flavor to all foods, for the provision of apothecaries, for remedy of weak stomachs, and for so many differences of conserves that are made with it? Then how profitable is also the wax that they fabricate together with the honey? With it the altars shine, with it processions are authorized, confraternities make use of it, with it burials are celebrated, and with it the tables of the great lords and of kings are adorned. And all this a little animal does, scarcely larger than a fly. Who would believe these two things, if he had never seen them, especially if they told him the concert that these little animals keep in their manner of republic and order of life? O great God, and how admirable you are, Lord, in all your works, as well in those of nature as in those of grace! And this is not to be wondered at, since the one and the others are yours, and both daughters of one same father, and for this reason the one resemble the others so much. We see in the works of grace that you choose the weakest instruments of the world to do admirable things. With twelve fishermen you converted the world, with the arm of a woman you destroyed all the power of the Assyrians, with the grooms of the princes of Israel you routed the army of the King of Syria, with a sling and a staff you made a little shepherd vanquish a giant armed with all arms, and with the jawbone of a beast you made Samson kill no fewer than a thousand Philistines. These are your works, these your marvels: to accomplish things so great with instruments so weak. And this same order that you keep in the works of grace you also keep in those of nature, since you ordained that, from these two so vile little animals, the one should provide kings and great lords with very rich garments, and the other with the sweetest of foods. For when these little animals are smaller and viler, and their fruit more excellent, so much the more do you discover to us the greatness of your glory.