Punch (94.1888)

302

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [Jum. so, 1888.

THE WATKIN SPIDER AND THE GLADSTONE FLY.

(New Version.)

/see.

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 '11 see a many curious things you never saw before.

Will you. will you. will you. will you, walk in, Grand
Old Fly t»

Now, this particular Grand Old Fly was very " fly," you know,
And had clear business notions and ideas of quid pro quo.
Says he, " About your Tunnel patriots doubt, alarmists chafe ;
Of course, it's most ridiculous, but will you swear it's safe f

Oh, will you. will you, will you, will you?" said the
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 ?

""Will you show the feather white and vote with Joseph, Grand
Old Fly?"

" No, if I do, may I be shot 1 It may be, by-and-by,

I '11 ask you—but no matter; with you now my lot is cast.

The Spider laughed, " Ha, ha! my boy, I've got you safe at last I

You will then, will then, will then, will then, really
Grand Old Fly! "