THE TRUE TRIAL OF UNDERSTANDING: OR Wit Newly Reviv'd being a BOOK of RIDDLES Adorned with Variety of PICTURES.
Reading edition
New Riddles make both Wit and Mirth, The Price of a Penny, yet not half the Worth. By S. M.
Printed and Sold in London.
Q. Tho' it be cold I wear no cloaths, The frost and snow I never fear, I value neither shoes nor hose, And yet I wander far and near; Both meat and drink are always free, I drink no cyder, mum, nor beer, What Providence doth send to me I neither buy, nor sell, nor lack.
A. A Herring swimming in the Sea.
Q. Once hairy scenter did transgress, Whose dame, both powerful and fierce, Tho' hairy scenter took delight To do the thing both fair and right, Upon a Sabbath day.
A. An old Woman whipping her Cat for Catching Mice on a Sunday.
Q. Promotion lately was bestow'd Upon a person mean and small; Then many persons to him flow'd, Yet he return'd no thanks at all; But yet their hands were ready still To help him with their kind good will.
A. It is a Man pelted in the Pillory.
Q. There was a sight near Charing Cross, A creature almost like a horse; But when I came the beast to see, The head was where the Tail should be.
A. A Mare tied with her tail to the Manger.
Q. As I walked thro' the street, It was near twelve o'clock at night; Two all in black I chanc'd to meet, Their eyes like flaming fire bright. They passed by, and nothing said, Therefore I was not much afraid.
A. Two long lighted Links carried along the street.
Q. Three men near the flowing Thames, Much pains and labour they did take They did both scratch and claw their wems, Until their very hearts did ache. It is as true as e'er was told, Therefore this riddle now unfold.
A. Three Fidlers in Thames Street, who played up a bridegroom in the Morning, who gave them nothing to drink.
Q. There is a steeple standing fair, 'Tis built upon a rock of care, Therein a noise both fierce and shrill, Tho' here was neither clock nor bell.
A. An old woman scolding in a high crown'd Hat.
Q. My weapon is exceeding keen, Of which I think I well may boast, And I'll encounter Colonel Green Together with his mighty host. With me they could not then compare, I conquer them both great and small, Tho' thousands stood before me there I stood and got no harm at all.
A. A Man mowing of Grass with a Scyth, which took all before it.
Q. I saw five birds all in a cage, Each bird had but one single wing, They were an hundred years of age, And yet did fly and sweetly sing. The wonder did my mind possess, When I beheld their age and strength; Besides, as near as I can guess,— Their tails were thirty feet in length.
A. A Peel of Bells in a Steeple.