A WHETSTONE FOR DULL WITS OR A Poesy OF NEW AND INGENIOUS RIDDLES
Reading edition
Of Merry Books this is the Chief, 'Tis as a purging Pill; To carry off all heavy Grief And make you laugh your Fill
Printed & Sold in London
Question. Into this world I came hanging, And when from the same I was ganging, I was cruelly batter'd and Squeez'd, And men with my blood, they were pleas'd.
Answer. It is a Pipping pounded into Cyder.
Q. A Wide Mouth, no ears nor eyes, No scorching flames I feel— Swallow more than may suffice Full forty at a meal.
A. It is an Oven.
Q. Tho' of great age I'm kept in a Cage Having a long tail and one ear, My mouth it is round And when Joys do abound O' then I sing wonderful clear.
A. It is a Bell in a Steeple; the Rope betokens a Tail, & the Wheel an ear.
Q. The greatest travellers that e'er were known By Sea and land were mighty archers twain; No armor proof, or fenced walls of stone, Could turn their arrows; bulwarks were in vain. Thro' princes courts, and kingdoms far and near, As well in foreign parts as Christendom, These travellers their weary steps then steer, But to the deserts seldom come.
A. 'Tis Death and Cupid, whose arrows pierce thro' the walls of Brass or strong Armour in all Courts and Kingdoms in the habitable World.
Q. Two Calves and an Ape They made their escape From one that was worse than a spright; They travell'd together In all sorts of weather But often were put in a fright.
A. 'Tis a Man flying from his scolding wife; the two Calves and an Ape, signify the calves of the legs and the Nape of his neck, which by travelling was expos'd to the weather.
Q. A thing with a thundering breech It weighing a thousand welly, I have heard it roar Louder than Guys wild boar, They say it hath death in its belly.
A. It is a Cannon.
Q. It flies without wings, Between silken strings And leaves as you'll find It's guts still behind.
A. It is a Weaver's Shuttle.
Q. Close in a cage a bird I'll keep, That sings both day and night, When other birds are fast asleep It's notes yield sweet delight.
A. It is a Clock.
Q. To the green wood Full oft it hath gang'd, Yet yields us no good Till decently hang'd.
A. It is a hog fattened with Acorns, which makes good bacon when hanged a drying.
Q. Rich, yellow, and bright, Long, slender and white, Both one in another there are; Now tell unto me, What this Riddle may be, Then will I your wisdom declare.
A. A Diamond ring on a Lady's finger.
Q. A Visage fair And voice is rare, Affording pleasant charms; Which is with us Most ominous Presaging future harms.
A. A Mermaid, which betokens destruction to Mariners.
Q. To ease men of their care I do both rend and tear Their mother's bowels still; Yet tho' I do, There are but few That seem to take it ill.
A. 'Tis a Plough which breaks up the bowels of the Earth for the sowing of Corn.
Q. By sparks in lawn fine I am lustily drawn, But not in a chariot or Coach; I fly, in a word, More swift than a bird, That does the green forest approach.
A. An Arrow drawn in a Bow by a Gentleman Archer.
Q. By the help of a guide I often divide What once in a green forest stood; Behold me, tho' I Have got but one eye, When that is stopt I do the most good.
A. A Hatchet, with which they cleave Wood; till the Eye is stopped with the Haft, it cannot perform business.
Q. My back is broad, my belly is thin, And I am sent to pleasure youth; Where mortal man has never been Tho' strange it is a naked truth.
A. A Paper Kite which mounts the lofty air.