I found a site that says the poem was not originally a Mother Goose item, though sometimes included in recent editions. It gave name of author, and a collection containing it.

he "spider to the fly" is not really a Mother Goose rhyme, though one occasionally finds it in a collection. Try Granger's index of poetry at your library to see if you can locate the source.

The Spider and the Fly" written by Mary Howitt-contained in the collection "One hundred and One Famous Poems" Compiled by Roy J. Cook,
Reilly and Lee Co. 1958-if you want the text I could e-mail it to you or fax it? Bob

I found the poem with name and dates of author

Mary Howitt (1799-1888)


The Spider And The Fly


"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to
the fly;
"'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may
spy.
The way into my parlor 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.
Well 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 a while, 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 parlor shelf;
If you'd 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 came out to his door again and merrily did
sing:
"Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with pearl and
silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple; there's a crest
upon your head;
Your eyes are like 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 grew,
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 the
dismal den -
Within his little parlor - 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.