The Spider and the Fly

Will you walk into my parlour? said the Spider to the Fly,

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend what can I do,

 to prove  the warm affection Ive' always felt for you

'Sweet creature!" said the Spider "your witty and your wise,

how handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes"

" I thank you gentle," sir she said

 "for what you 're pleased to say,

And bidding you a good morning now, Till call another day"

Alas, alas! how very soon the silly 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 never came out again?

edited version of The Spider and The Fly

~ Mary Howitt