With fire and sword the country round And many a childing mother then But things like that, you know, must be They say it was a shocking sight For many thousand bodies here Lay rotting in the sun : But things like that, you know, must be Great praise the Duke of Marlbro' won, "Nay, nay, my little girl," quoth he, And every body praised the duke, Why that I cannot tell," said he; "But 'twas a famous victory." Southey. E 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 when you are there." "O 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!" "O 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 have always felt for you? I have within my parlour great store of all that's nice: I'm sure you're very welcome; will you please to take a slice ?" "O no, no," said the little Fly, "kind sir, that can not be; For I know 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 gaudy wings, how brilliant are your eyes! I have a little looking-glass upon my parlour-shelf; If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself." "O, thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say; And wishing you good morning now, I'll call another day." The Spider turn'd him round again, and went into his den ; For well he knew that silly Fly would soon come back again. And then he wove a tiny web in a little corner sly, And set his table ready for to dine upon the Fly; And went out to his door again, and merrily did sing, “Come hither, pretty little Fly, with the gold 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 jump'd the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast. He dragg'd 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 counsellor close heart and ear and eye, And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly. THE ANT: INDUSTRY. THESE emmets, how little they are in our eyes! Yet as wise as we are, if sent to their school, They don't wear their time out in sleeping or play, And for winter they lay up their stores; They manage their work in such regular forms, One would think they foresaw all the frosts and the storms, And so brought their food within doors. But I have less sense than a poor creeping ant, I GLANCE into the harvest-field, The reaper and the reaper's wife Enjoy their noon-day ease. And in the shadow of the hedge I hear full many a merry sound, About the parents, in the grass, |