The Spider as an Artist 1
Has never been employed－
Though his surpassing Merit
Is freely certified
By every Broom and Bridget 5
Throughout a Christian Land－
Neglected Son of Genius
I take thee by the Hand－
Has never been employed－
Though his surpassing Merit
Is freely certified
By every Broom and Bridget 5
Throughout a Christian Land－
Neglected Son of Genius
I take thee by the Hand－
(F.1373/J.1275)
[1] Spider:: a kind of frying-pan having legs and a long handle; also loosely, a frying-pan (OED 3a); a trivet or tripod; a griddle (OED 3b).
[2] never, employed:: never been properly used before (by Broom and Bridget).
[3, 4] Merit, freely certified:: function of the pan is loosely certified for food, but not for delicacies.
[5] Broom:: one who sweeps with a broom, not really a cook. Bridget:: a believer of Saint Bridget, negligent in sophisticated cooking.
[5, 6] every, Christian Land:: every austere Christian woman who cared less in delicate cuisine.
[7] Son of Genius:: product of a genius.
[8] take thee by the Hand:: a hint on the answer.
Their place is supplied on stoves and ranges by other utensils, with short handles, called spiders or steak pans. L'Estrange remarked, "We understand by 'out of the frying pan into the fire,' that things go from bad to worse."——The Customs of New England (1853)