![]() |
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A RIDDLE FOR THE LADIES, by ROYALL TYLER Poet's Biography First Line: I never was, nor yet I am Last Line: You've mention'd me, and there's my danger. Alternate Author Name(s): Old Simon; S. Subject(s): Riddles | |||
I NEVER was, nor yet I am; I never spake, and yet I talk; I ne'er was born, yet I must die; I've active feet, yet I ne'er walk. No body, voice, or shape I claim; No hands or even legs to help me, And yet when you have found my name, You'll own you've often seen, heard, felt me. Are you a maiden prim and shy, And at some youngster set your cap, When your sweet Strephon passed by You saw me near his jetty hat? Perhaps a buxom widow may Yearn to know my deep hid name; What she weeps for let her say -- What she smiles at, I'm the same. If a fond wife you chance to be, You can fully solve me, madam; In extremes I'm known to thee; Sometimes I'm merry, sometimes sad am. Romping girls and prudish misses, Matrons grave and Elders show me; Squires, Captains share my blisses, But old Bachelors can't know me. I cough, I weep, I laugh, I sneeze, I hear, I see, I smile, I frown, I drown, I burn, I melt, I freeze, And am the joke of all the town: And yet no features mark my face, No passions in my heart you'll find, No feelings in my limbs you'll trace, And I am wiser than mankind. Then guess me out and tell my name, Tho none have I, and what is stranger? While you have guess'd, & guess'd in vain, You've mention'd me, and there's my danger. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOT SIX DIFFERENCES by MARVIN BELL TWO RIDDLES FROM ALDHELM by RICHARD WILBUR RIDDLE ON THE LETTER H (1) by CATHERINE MARIA FANSHAWE RIDDLE ON THE LETTER H (2) by CATHERINE MARIA FANSHAWE INDEPENDENCE DAY by ROYALL TYLER |
|