University of Virginia Library

A RIDDLE.

Who's he that's no body's Friend,
Whose Levees yet great Men attend;
Who in Retirement loves to sneak,
Yet for Domesticks oft does seek?
Folly and Innocence do him dread,
He's hated, yet he's followed,
And is interr'd before he's dead.
His Retinue's kept at others Cost,
And when he's curst, he prospers most.

ANOTHER.

I stand but on one Leg, yet do sustain
Much Weight, beside a noted Rogue in grain,
And 'twere an ill Wind which blew him no gain.
He gives me Clothes, when fast he'd have me run,
But strips me naked, when his Work I've done.
Then I, with Arms across, expos'd do stand,
Forc'd to submit to ev'ry Turn of Hand,
And to inconstant unseen Pow'rs command.
I once encounter'd was by hardy Fool,
Who'ad got my Namesake lodg'd within his Skull;
He me attack'd in wild and frantick Mood,
And I my Ground, tho in swift Motion, stood.
He from my Arms receiv'd a stunning Blow,
Yet what I was the Coxcomb did not know;
And you're more wise, if you guess what I'm now.

Third Riddle.

Close to my Owner I adher'd,
Till bloody Hands me from him tear'd:
In Warmth and Quietness we liv'd,
And, while together, well we thriv'd;
But naked now Men me expose,
And I excite them too to Blows.
Dumb was I born, still have no Voice,
Yet Courts and Camps I fill with Noise.
I liv'd in Peace, now serve in Wars,
Was Innocent, but now at Bars
Am try'd, where I move endless Jars.
Great Rogues trade in me by whole-sale,
In Parcels too they me retail:
But when their greater use I fail,
Small lowsy Thieves do in me deal,
And serve their Ends of me piece-meal.