{"id":252,"date":"2010-03-04T03:22:07","date_gmt":"2010-03-04T03:22:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.everywritersresource.com\/poemeveryday\/?p=252"},"modified":"2017-07-11T04:49:22","modified_gmt":"2017-07-11T04:49:22","slug":"the-spider-and-the-fly-by-mary-howitt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywritersresource.com\/poemeveryday\/the-spider-and-the-fly-by-mary-howitt\/","title":{"rendered":"The Spider And The Fly by Mary Howitt"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Mary Howitt? (1799-1888)<\/p>\n

The Spider And The Fly<\/p>\n

“Will you walk into my parlor?” said the spider to the fly;
\n“‘Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy.
\nThe way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
\nAnd I have many curious things to show when you are there.”
\n“Oh no, no,” said the little fly; “to ask me is in vain,
\nFor who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”<\/p>\n

“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high.
\nWell you rest upon my little bed?” said the spider to the fly.
\n“There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
\nAnd if you like to rest a while, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
\n“Oh no, no,” said the little fly, “for I’ve often heard it said,
\nThey never, never wake again who sleep upon your bed!”<\/p>\n

Said the cunning spider to the fly: “Dear friend, what can I do
\nTo prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
\nI have within my pantry good store of all that’s nice;
\nI’m sure you’re very welcome – will you please to take a slice?”
\n“Oh no, no,” said the little fly; “kind sir, that cannot be:
\nI’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”<\/p>\n

“Sweet creature!” said the spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise;
\nHow handsome are your gauzy wings; how brilliant are your eyes!
\nI have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;
\nIf you’d step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
\n“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say,
\nAnd, bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.”<\/p>\n

The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
\nFor well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again:
\nSo he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
\nAnd set his table ready to dine upon the fly;
\nThen came out to his door again and merrily did sing:
\n“Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with pearl and silver wing;
\nYour robes are green and purple; there’s a crest upon your head;
\nYour eyes are like diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”<\/p>\n

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly,
\nHearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
\nWith buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer grew,
\nThinking only of her brilliant eyes and green and purple hue,
\nThinking only of her crested head. Poor, foolish thing! at last
\nUp jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast;
\nHe dragged her up his winding stair, into the dismal den –
\nWithin his little parlor – but she ne’er came out again!<\/p>\n

And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
\nTo idle, silly flattering words I pray you ne’er give heed;
\nUnto an evil counselor close heart and ear and eye,
\nAnd take a lesson from this tale of the spider and the fly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mary Howitt? (1799-1888) The Spider And The Fly “Will you walk into my parlor?” said the spider to the fly; “‘Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy. The way into my parlor is up a winding stair, And I have many curious things to show when you are there.” “Oh no, no,”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,408],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-252","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-1800s","category-nature-poems"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t