• “will you walk into my parlor?” said the spider to the fly;
    “’T is the prettiest little parlor that ever you did 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,” said the little fly; “to ask me is in vain,
    For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”

    “I...

  • [About 1307]
    for Scotland’s and for freedom’s right
      The Bruce his part had played,
    In five successive fields of fight
      Been conquered and dismayed;
    Once more against the English host
    His band he led, and once more lost
      The meed for which he fought;
    And now from battle, faint and worn,
    The homeless fugitive forlorn...

  •     "Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly,

        "'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy;

        The way into my parlor 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...

  • The Spider as an Artist

    Has never been employed —

    Though his surpassing Merit

    Is freely certified


    By every Broom and Bridget

    Throughout a Christian Land —

    Neglected Son of Genius

    I take thee by the Hand —

  • The Spider holds a Silver Ball

    In unperceived Hands —

    And dancing softly to Himself

    His Yarn of Pearl — unwinds —


    He plies from Nought to Nought —

    In unsubstantial Trade —

    Supplants our Tapestries with His —

    In half the period —


    An Hour to rear supreme

    His...