Alciato's Book of Emblems

Emblem 113

Almost the same, out of Theocritus

As he gathered honey from the hives, an evil bee stung Amor the thief, and left the sting at his finger's end. The boy distressed with swollen finger moans and, wandering about, stamps the earth, and shows his sore to Venus, and complains bitterly, that a little bee, small creature, can inflict such painful wounds. Venus laughs at him. You also, my son, imitate this creature - you who are small give so many painful wounds.