The Girl and the Spider

“The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.”
Proverb 30:28

She shook away the spider’s web
But took the spider with her
Our play with sin so quick forgot
The stay more quickly over

Eight-fingers weave on finest net
(E’er sleight the seamstress’ touch)
A prey so small was her intent
Yeah, also her snare was flesh!

For lo, a girl in azure dress
Below sat unimperiled
Above, the spider in no rush
Strove. The girl failed t’even blush

Arrest’d only weakly, the limb
Stretched smoothly and was freed!
The web hung listless, yet what climbs
On maid’n’s dress flung carelessly?

For such fine lass a puny snare
Lately giv’n to temptation.
Persistent is the spider’s ware:
She’s merely changed location…

So, damsels trick’d have met their end
Cruel prick of the hour-glass hunter:
Alas! she shook away the web
But took the spider with her!

So you, young man may play one sin
Or two, ne’er bound with pleasure
Too obvious, too weak to imprison!
Blind to danger more severe 

The web meant to shine and glisten
In large eyes of measly fly
Poison’d fang kills more victims
Than arachnid has appetite

The spider lays hold with her hands-- 
The thief looks not to satisfy--
But lurks, even in king’s palaces
To steal, kill, and to destroy.

So, Samson-like, escape the threads
That bind you fast to the chair.
Best remember tho’: check your head,
Lest the spider be in your hair!