MAY & JUNE POETRY
Return to Poetry Home Page
 
 
 
THE SPIDER AND THE FLY
By Mary Howitt
GIT ALONG LITTLE DOGIES
THANKSGIVING
Ivy O. Eastwick
UNTIL I SAW THE SEA
Lilian Moore
 
The Spider and the Fly
by Mary Howitt 1821.
 
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've a 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've a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you'll 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 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 counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.
 
 
 
Top
 
 
                                              
GIT ALONG, LITTLE DOGIES
A Cowboy's Song
Author Unknown
 
As I walked out one morning for pleasure,
I spied a cowpuncher a-riding alone;
His hat was throwed back and his spurs was a-jingling.
As he approached me a-singin' ths song:
 
Whoopee ti yi yo, git along, little dogies,
It's your misfortune and none of my own.
Whoopee ti yi yo, git along, little dogies,
For you know Wyoming will be your new home.
 
Early in the spring we round up the dogies,
Mark and brand, and bob off their tails;
Round up our horses, load up the chuck wagon,
Then throw the dogies upon the trail.
 
It's whooping and yelling and driving the dogies;
Oh, how I wish you would move along!
It's whooping and punching: and go on, little dogies,
For you know Wyoming will be your new home.
 
When the night comes on, we hold 'em on the bed-ground,
These little dogies that roll on so slow;
Roll up the herd and cut out the strays,
And roll the little dogies that never rolled before.
 
Your mother she was raised way down in Texas,
Where the Jimson weed and sandburs grow;
Now we'll fill you up on prickly pear and cholla
Till you are ready for the trail to Idaho.
 
Oh, you'll be soup for Uncle Sam's Injuns;
"It's beef, heap beef," I hear them cry.
Git along, git along, git along, little dogies
You're going to be beef steers by and by.
 
Top
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanksgiving
Ivy O. Eastwick
 
Thank You
for all my hands can hold --
apples red,
and melons gold,
yellow corn
both ripe and sweet,
peas and beans
so good to eat!
 
Thank You
for all my eyes can see --
lovely sunlight,
field and tree,
white cloud-boats
in sea-deep sky,
soaring bird
and butterfly.
 
Thank You
for all my ears can hear --
birds' song echoing
far and near,
songs of little
stream, big sea,
cricket, bullfrog,
duck and bee!
 
 
 
Top
 
 
 
 
Until I Saw the Sea
Lilian Moore
 
Until I saw the sea
I did not know that wind could wrinkle water so.
 
I never knew that sun could splinter a whole sea of blue.
 
Nor
did I know before,
a sea breathes in and out
upon a shore.
 
Top