The Speaker: "Will you come into my parlor said the spider to the fly." [View all]

[Raven]

"....The Spider turn'd her round again, and went into her den,
For well she knew that cunning Fly would soon come back again.
And then she wove a tiny web, in a little corner sly,
And set her table ready for to dine upon the Fly;
And went out to her door again, and merrily did sing,
Come hither, pretty little Fly, with the gold and silver wing.

Alas, alas! how very soon this cunning little Fly,
Hearing her wily flattering words, came slowly fluttering by.
With humming wings he hung aloft, then nearer and nearer drew.
Thinking only of his crested head and gold and purple hue:
Thinking only of his brilliant wings, poor foolish thing! at last,
Up jump'd the hungry little Spider, and firmly held him fast!
She dragged him up her winding stair, into her dismal den,
Within her little parlour; but he ne'er came down again.
And now, my pretty maidens, who may this story hear,
To silly, idle, flattering words, I pray you ne'er give ear;
Unto a beatiful lady, close heart, and ear, and eye,
And learn a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly."

~By Mary Howitt, 1829