Born in Coleford, Gloucestershire, England, Mary was the daughter of Samuel Botham a land-surveyor. In 1809, Mary and her sister were sent to a Quaker school in Croydon; the dress code of which Mary would remember years later when writing her autobiography. She married at the age of 22 to William Howitt, a reluctant chemist and co-writer on alot of her published poetry. She was the first English translator of Hans Christian Anderson, and apart from her poetry also wrote a number of works for children. She died in Rome, Italy; having converted from Quakerism to Roman Catholicism at the tender age of 83.

Mary Howitt
(1799-1888)

The Spider and the Fly

"Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly, "
'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour 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 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 that 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 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 step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say;
And bidding 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 as 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 heed;
Unto an evil counsellor close heart, and ear, and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.

Mary Howitt (1799-1888)

spider: arachnid (araña) that spins silk to make traps for prey, usually flies (moscas)
parlour: reception room
'Tis = This is
you did spy: [emphatic] you really saw, you really observed
winding stair = spiral stair
in vain = to no avail (en vano)
ne'er = never
weary: tired out, exhausted
snugly: warmly and comfortably sheltered
cunning = clever (astuto/a)
pantry: storeroom (despensa)
weary: tored out, exhausted
witty = humorous
gauzy: transparent
behold: see with attention
den: hiding place (escondite)
wove: tejió (to weave/wove/woven/weaving)
Come hither = Come here, Come to this place (Acércate)
as dull as lead: tan opacos como el plomo
Alas!: By bad luck (¡Ay!)
flattering words: praising somewhat dishonestly (palabras aduladoras)
dragged her: pulled her and forced her to enter
dismal den = depressing hiding place
heed: pay close attention to
unto: (archaic) to
evil counsellor: some who gives bad advice

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