[Illustration: THE SPIDER'S INVITATION.]




III.

THE SCHEMING SPIDER.

A FABLE FOR MANY IN GENERAL, AND A FEW IN PARTICULAR.


I.

A bee who had chased after pleasure all day,
And homeward was lazily wending his way,
Fell in with a Spider, who called to the Bee:
"Good evening! I trust you are well," said he.


II.

The bee was quite happy to stop awhile there--
He always had leisure enough and to spare--
"Good day, Mr. Spider," he said, with a bow,
"I thank you, I feel rather poorly, just now."


III.