So “I’ll wait a little longer,” to the Spider said the Fly, As he spread his wings (with friend Col-lings), and fluttered towards the Skye. But whether he’ll come back again, and try that parlour yet, Is a thing on which a cautious man would hardly like to bet. _Punch._ March 19, 1887. _The Spider_, by Sir W. Y. Harcourt. _The Fly_, by Mr. Joseph Chamberlain. ―――― “Will you walk a little faster?” said a whiting to a snail, “There’s a porpoise close behind us, and he’s treading on my tail. See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance! They are waiting on the shingle――will you come and join the dance? Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the dance? Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance.” * * * * * From _Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland_. There was a parody in _Will-o’-the-Wisp_, March 20, 1869, entitled “The Abbess and the Maid” concerning a law suit which attracted much attention at the time, but is now forgotten. It commenced:―― “Will you walk into my convent?” said the abbess to the maid. “’Tis the prettiest little cloister ever nestled in the shade.” Another long political parody in _The London Figaro_, August 7, 1886, commenced:―― “Will you come into our Chamber?” said the Marquis to “Grand Cross” “’Tis a finely gilded chamber” (so went on the Tory Boss.) Another appeared in _Punch_, June 30, 1888, soon after Mr. W. E. Gladstone had given his vote in favour of Watkin’s scheme for the Channel Tunnel. Two verses may be quoted:―― THE WATKIN SPIDER AND THE GLADSTONE FLY. “Will you walk into my Tunnel?” said the Spider to the Fly, “’Tis the handiest little Tunnel that ever you did spy. You’ve only got to pop your head inside and peep, no more, And you’ll see a many curious things you never saw before. Will you, will you, will you, will you, walk in, Grand Old Fly?” Said the Spider to the Fly, “It’s most absurd, upon my soul, To see so big a nation scared about so small a hole. To share the scare that’s in the air is worthy, don’t you know, Not of a Grand Old Fly like you, but of a midge like Joe! Then won’t you, won’t you, won’t you, won’t you, plucky Grand Old Fly?” * * * * * _Punch._ June 30, 1888. ―――― Pray come along to Hawarden, says the Grand Old Man so fly, (Or p’rhaps I should say spider), to convince you let me try. Home Rule’s the grandest principle since first the earth began, And to vote for C. S. Parnell and his friend, the Grand Old Man. Pop in the train at Euston and to Chester then run down, And don’t make speeches on the way (such conduct makes me frown,) If but a Post-card you will send to say when you’ll arrive, The Home Rule van shall meet you, and the Grand Old whip will drive.