Silkmasters…

Heavy dew this morning and every spider web in the garden is strong with pearls of moisture.... webs wherever I look, all shining things of silver beauty. The difference between utility and utility plus beauty is the difference between telephone wires and the spider's web. 

Edwin Way Teale

Oh, look at that great ugly spider!" said Ann;
      And screaming, she brushed it away with her fan;
      "'Tis a frightful black creature as ever can be,
      I wish that it would not come crawling on me."
"Indeed," said her mother, "I'll venture to say,
      The poor thing will try to keep out of your way;
      For after the fright, and the fall, and the pain,
      It has much more occasion than you to complain.

Jane Taylor

How dare we call them horrid pests
Or uncouth names in clumsy Latin!
They weave such lovely, downy nests
Of vari-colored silk and satin.

Arthur Guiterman