Page:Royal riddle book.pdf/6

 For I hack, cut and slay,

Whate'er falls in my way,

And send it to hell, for my sake.

In courts or cottages we may be found,

Our skirts with fringe of various dyes are bound;

And as we are by Providence design'd,

A guard from harm t‘ a fav'rite apple join’d.

We ne'er rove long, nor far asunder stray,

But meet and part a thousand times a day:

When dark, like loving couples we unite,

And cuddle close together every night.

I was before the world began,

And shall for ever last;

Ere father Adam was a man.

Or out of Eden cast.

Your mirthful moments I attend,

And mitigate your grief;

Th' industrious peasant I befriend;

To prisoners give relief.

Make much of me if you are wise,

And use me while you may,

For you will lose me in a trice,

As I for no man stay.

My proper title I forsake,

And often that of other’s take;

Sometimes a king in stately pride,

With lofty majesty I stride,

In various shapes I'm known to be,

And often wait when miss drinks tea.

No twins could e‘er with us compare,

So like in shape and size;