[[Listen]] [[PDF]] [[MusicXML]]
1. “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 pretty things to show you when you’re there.”
“Oh, no, no!” said the little Fly. “To ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair, shall ne’er come down again.”
2. I am sure you must be weary, dear! with soaring up so high,
Will you rest up on 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 have heard it said,
They never, never wake again who sleep upon your bed.”
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 he 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.”
Alas! alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing all these flattering speeches came quickly buzzing by;
With gauzy wing she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her crested head and gold and purple hue:
Thinking only of her brilliant wings poor silly thing, at last
Up jumped the wicked Spider and fiercely held her fast!
