A30125:207
A book for boys and girls, or, Country rhymes for childrenA book for boys and girls, or, Country rhimes for children
A book for boys and girls, or, Country rhymes for children by J.B.A book for boys and girls, or, Country rhimes for children by J.B.
London: printed for N.P., 1686
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A BOOK FOR Boys and Girls, &c. › Poem 17: XVII. The Sinner and the Spider.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Sinner. O Spider I have heard thee, and do wonder, A Spider should thus lighten, and thus thunder!
Spider. Do but hold still, and I will let thee see, Yet in my ways more Mysteries there be. Shall not I do thee good, if I thee tell, I show to thee a four-fold way to Hell. For since I set my Webs in sundry places, I show men go to Hell in divers traces. One I set in the window, that I might Show, some go down to Hell with Gospel-light. One I set in a Corner, as you see, To show, how some in secret snared be. ⟨p. 23⟩'Gross Webs great store I set in darksome places, To show, how many sin with brazen faces. Another Web I set aloft on high, To show, there's some professing men must dye. Thus in my Ways, God Wisdom doth conceal; And by my ways, that Wisdom doth reveal. I hide my self, when I for Flies do wait, So doth the Devil, when he lays his bait. If I do fear the losing of my prey, I stir me, and more snares upon her lay. This way, and that, her Wings and Legs I tie, That sure as she is catched, so she must dye. But if I see she's like to get away, Then with my Venom, I her Journey stay. All which my ways, the Devil imitates, To catch men 'cause he their Salvation hates.
Spider. Do but hold still, and I will let thee see, Yet in my ways more Mysteries there be. Shall not I do thee good, if I thee tell, I shew to thee a four-fold way to Hell. For since I set my Webs in sundry places, I shew men go to Hell in divers traces. One I set in the window, that I might Shew, some go down to Hell with Gospel-light. One I set in a Corner, as you see, To shew, how some in secret snared be. ⟨p. 23⟩'Gross Webs great store I set in darksome places, To shew, how many sin with brazen faces. Another Web I set aloft on high, To shew, there's some professing men must dye. Thus in my Ways, God Wisdom doth conceal; And by my ways, that Wisdom doth reveal. I hide my self, when I for Flies do wait, So doth the Devil, when he lays his bait. If I do fear the losing of my prey, I stir me, and more snares upon her lay. This way, and that, her Wings and Legs I tye, That sure as she is catcht, so she must dye. But if I see she's like to get away, Then with my Venom, I her Journey stay. All which my ways, the Devil imitates, To catch men 'cause he their Salvation hates.