About the Poem:
The Spider and the Fly was the most famous and known poem written by Mary Howitt. It was published in 1829. The poem tells the story of a spider that hopes to catch a naive fly by using flattery and seduction. The poem is meant to be an acautionary tale, that uses charm and flattering to disguise true evil intentions. Lewis Carroll was reading the original Alice in Wonderland book that was originally titled Alice's Adventures Under Ground when she replaced an imitation style of writing from Howitt's poems. It was supposed to mimic the rhyme scheme of the original writing. The replaced piece Lewis Carroll used was the first line of Howitt's The Spider and the Fly's poem that writes "Will you walk into my parlor, tis the prettiest parlor that ever did spy."
The Spider and the Fly was the most famous and known poem written by Mary Howitt. It was published in 1829. The poem tells the story of a spider that hopes to catch a naive fly by using flattery and seduction. The poem is meant to be an acautionary tale, that uses charm and flattering to disguise true evil intentions. Lewis Carroll was reading the original Alice in Wonderland book that was originally titled Alice's Adventures Under Ground when she replaced an imitation style of writing from Howitt's poems. It was supposed to mimic the rhyme scheme of the original writing. The replaced piece Lewis Carroll used was the first line of Howitt's The Spider and the Fly's poem that writes "Will you walk into my parlor, tis the prettiest parlor that ever did spy."
Spider Poem Titled: The Spider and the Fly
By: Mary Howitt
'Will you walk into my parlour?' said the Spider to the Fly,
''Tis the prettiest parlour that ever did you spy;
The way into my parlour 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'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 the 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 to 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'll step in a moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.'
'I thank you, gentle sir,' she said, 'for what you're pleased to say,
And bidding you 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 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 give heed:
Unto an evil counselor close heart, and ear, and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.
By: Mary Howitt
'Will you walk into my parlour?' said the Spider to the Fly,
''Tis the prettiest parlour that ever did you spy;
The way into my parlour 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'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 the 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 to 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'll step in a moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.'
'I thank you, gentle sir,' she said, 'for what you're pleased to say,
And bidding you 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 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 give heed:
Unto an evil counselor close heart, and ear, and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.
About the Author:
Mary Howitt was the daughter of William and Ann Botham. She was born Mary Botham at Coleford in Gluoucestershine on March 12, 1799. She had three other siblings: Ann, Emma, and Charles. Mary's parents Samuel and Ann were very good writers themselves. They wrote over 180 books. On April 16, 1821 Mary was married to her husband William Howitt. William was a pharmacist and owned his own business with his brother Richard. In 1823, After only a few years of being married, William decided to leave his business partnership with his brother to pursue writing with his wife Mary. These two produced poetical and other writings that contributed to annuals and periodicals. Some of those writings were selected to be publish to their book titled "The Desolation of Eyam and other Poems" in 1827. William and Mary collaborated with many popular authors of their days such as: Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. After producing a few more pieces of writing, after 1840 was dedicated to spending time with her husband William. The two moved to London in 1843. After a long glorious career, Mary Howitt passed away on January 30, 1888.
Mary Howitt was the daughter of William and Ann Botham. She was born Mary Botham at Coleford in Gluoucestershine on March 12, 1799. She had three other siblings: Ann, Emma, and Charles. Mary's parents Samuel and Ann were very good writers themselves. They wrote over 180 books. On April 16, 1821 Mary was married to her husband William Howitt. William was a pharmacist and owned his own business with his brother Richard. In 1823, After only a few years of being married, William decided to leave his business partnership with his brother to pursue writing with his wife Mary. These two produced poetical and other writings that contributed to annuals and periodicals. Some of those writings were selected to be publish to their book titled "The Desolation of Eyam and other Poems" in 1827. William and Mary collaborated with many popular authors of their days such as: Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. After producing a few more pieces of writing, after 1840 was dedicated to spending time with her husband William. The two moved to London in 1843. After a long glorious career, Mary Howitt passed away on January 30, 1888.
Other Pieces of Work by Mary Howitt:
Coming Spring
Cowslips
Let Mammon's sons with visage lean
Religious Reflections on Winter: The Creator to be Praised for all Things
Summer Song of the Strawberry-Girl
The Broom Flower
The Clock is on the Stroke of Six
The Fossil Elephant
The Humming-Bird
The Old Man's Story
Coming Spring
Cowslips
Let Mammon's sons with visage lean
Religious Reflections on Winter: The Creator to be Praised for all Things
Summer Song of the Strawberry-Girl
The Broom Flower
The Clock is on the Stroke of Six
The Fossil Elephant
The Humming-Bird
The Old Man's Story