“What lovely wings they’d make you! How much higher you could fly! “For the last time, now, I ask you, pretty creature, will you buy?” And the silly fly, intoxicated with his flattery, Bought lots of shares with unlimited liability. But when the time came for the dividends to be received, The poor fly found that he had been most woefully deceived. When he went into the parlour, quick the spider shut the door, And tightly round him spun his web, and hurled him on the floor―― And laughed, “Ha! ha!” and said, “I’ll show you now, my pretty fly, “What comes of buying shares with unlim’d liability.” And first he plundered all his gold, and all he had beside, And then he crushed him utterly, and sucked him till he died. From _Dizzi-Ben-Dizzi_, 1878. ―――― THE IRISH SPIDER AND THE ENGLISH FLY. “Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly. “We can talk without disturbance, and no Tories can espy. It is just across the Channel, you can very soon get there. And I’ve curious things to show you which I’m sure will make you stare.” “Excuse me,” said the Grand Old Fly, “your manner has a charm, But are you really sure, dear sir, you do not mean me harm?” 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’ve eighty-six companions too so pleasant, kind, and nice, Who’ll welcome any friend of mine and help him in a trice.” “Forgive me,” said the Grand Old Fly, “because I make so bold, But about that Irish party there are awful stories told,” “Sweet creature,” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise, On you the universal world now turns its wondering eyes, I have an Irish looking-glass upon my parlour shelf―― You’ll be surprised if in that glass you but behold yourself,” “I thank you, gentle sir, indeed for what you’ve pleased to say, And bidding you good morning now I’ll call another day.” The Spider waited for a time inside his Irish den, For well he knew the Grand Old Fly would soon come back again. He wove his subtle Home Rule web in a little corner sly And set his eighty-six _confrères_ to watch the Grand Old Fly. Then wandered to his door again and merrily did say, “Come hither, hither, dearest Fly――a moment step this way.” There was no limit to the pride of that poor silly Fly. He listened to the Spider’s voice, which flattered him sky high; He buzzed about, he tossed his head, and near and nearer drew―― Deceived by his own vanity he thought the Spider true. “No English Fly has soared so high,” said he, but now at last, Caught in the cunning Home Rule web, the Spider held him fast. _Moonshine._ June 5, 1886. ―――― A CHARITABLE INSTITUTION. (_A Hint to some Hospitals nearer Home._)