Historical: "Home, Sweet Home" has made the name of John Howard Payne famous all over the world. The complete song had originally four stanzas, but the two given here are the finest and best known.

When Jenny Lind, the celebrated Swedish singer, visited the United States in 1850, she sang in Washington before a large audience. John Howard Payne sat in one of the boxes and at the close of a wonderful concert, the singer turned toward the box in which the poet sat and sang "Home, Sweet Home" with so much sweetness and power that many in the audience cried like children.

Notes and Questions

What words in the first stanza

are repeated in the refrain or
chorus?

What is it that the poet says "hal-
lows" or blesses us when we are
in our homes?

With what word in the same

stanza is the word cottage con-
trasted?

With what word in the first

stanza is the word cottage contrasted?

What does the second stanza tell

us that the poet had at home and missed afterward? Of whom do you suppose he

thinks when he remembers his childhood's home?

What is it that really makes home beautiful?

1.

VOCABULARY:

cot'-tage-small house.

dăz'-zle-to confuse or bewilder with intense brightness.

Mary Howitt (1804-1888) was an English poet. She was the w of William Howitt, who was also a poet and author. Her poems a widely read. vode bad vast and W

BOND when you are there.

"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 Contain 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!"

The Spider and the Fly

I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;

35

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."

5

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 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!"

6

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 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.

HELPS TO STUDY
Notes and Questions

How did the spider first try to

attract the fly into his web? Read the fly's answer.

After his first

invitation had

failed, what did the spider then invite the fly to do?