Page:Royal riddle book.pdf/10

 And however abus'd,

Without violence us'd,

Will never my business discover,

l‘m of service to state,

To the peer and the great,

To the tradesman, mechanic, and beau,

Some of whom I attend

Each day as a friend.

But to others bring sorrow and woe.

All kindly receive me,

And you mav believe me,

Scarce ever refine me my pay;

For whoever does this,

Take it will or amiss,

VVith him not a moment I stay.

In spring I look gay,

Deck'd in comely array.

In summer more clothing I wear;

When colder it grows,

I fling off my clothes,

And in winter-quite naked appear.

'Midst numbers round I spy‘d a beauty fair,

More charming than her circling sisters were;

With blushing cheek she tempting of me stood,

At last I crept her bloom and suck'd her blood;

Sweet meat she was, but neither flesh nor bone,

Yet in her tender heart she had a stone,

I'm captain of a party small,

Whose number is but five;

But yet do great exploits for all,

And every man alive

With Adam I was seen to live,

Ere he knew what was evil;