Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TWO RIDDLES, by MATTHEW PRIOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TWO RIDDLES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sphinx was a monster that would eat
Last Line: And runs away at last on four?
Subject(s): Egypt; Fate; Oedipus; Riddles; Sphinx; Destiny


SPHINX was a monster that would eat
Whatever stranger she could get;
Unless his ready wit disclosed
The subtle riddle she proposed.
OEdipus was resolved to go,
And try what strength of parts would do.
Says Sphinx, On this depends your fate;
Tell me what animal is that
Which has four feet at morning bright,
Has two at noon, and three at night?
'Tis man, said he, who, weak by nature,
At first creeps, like his fellow creature,
Upon all four; as years accrue,
With sturdy steps he walks on two;
In age, at length, grows weak and sick,
For his third leg adopts a stick.
Now, in your turn, 'tis just, methinks,
You should resolve me, Madam Sphinx.
What greater stranger yet is he,
Who has four legs, then two, then three;
Then loses one, then gets two more,
And runs away at last on four?





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