"Eyes speak no more, heart feel no fear for she can see all."
Would you like to ‘rant’ at Madame Webb? Contact me at: madamewebb@rogers.com
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The Spider and the Fly
By Mary Howitt
"Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the
Fly, "
'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show you when you are
there."
"Oh no, no," said the Fly, "to ask me is in vain;
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down
again."
"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so
high; will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to
the Fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are
fine and thin; and if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you
in!"
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard
it said they never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend, what
can I do to prove that warm affection I've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome - will you please take a
slice?"
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind sir, that cannot
be, I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to
see!"
"Sweet creature," said the Spider, "you're witty and
you're wise; How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are
your eyes! I have a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf;
If you step in one moment, dear, you shall behold
yourself."
"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're
pleased to say; and bidding good morning now, I'll call another day."
The Spider turned him round about, and went into his
den, for well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back
again; So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did
sing,
"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and
silver wing; Your robes are green and purple, there's a crest upon
your head; Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are as
dull as lead."
Alas, alas! How very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer
drew, - Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and
purple hue; Thinking only of her crested head - poor foolish thing!
At last, up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her
fast. He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den
Within his little parlour - but she ne'er came out again!
And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne'er heed;
Unto an evil counsellor close heart, and ear, and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the
Fly.
Mary Howitt (1799-1888) was born in Coleford, England the daughter of Samuel Botham a land-surveyor. In 1809, Mary and her sister were sent to a Quaker school in Croydon; the dress code of which Mary would remember years later when writing her autobiography. She married at the age of 22 to William Howitt, a reluctant chemist and co-writer an alot of her published poetry. She was the first English translator of Hans Christian Anderson, and apart from her poetry also wrote a number of works for children. She died in Rome, Italy; having converted to Roman Catholicism at the tender age of 83.
