A Riddle.

A beggar once exceeding poore,
A penny pray'd me give him,
And deeply vow'd ne'r to ask more
And I ne'r more to give him,
Next day he begg'd again, I gave,
Yet both of us our oaths did save.

Another.

There was a man bespake a thing,
Which when the owner home did bring,
He that made it, did refuse it,

He that bought it, would not use it;
He that hath it doth not know

Whether he hath it, yea or no.

Another.

One evening, as cold, as cold might be,
With frost and snow, and pinching weather,
Companions about three times three,
Lay close all in a bed together;

Yet one after another they took heat,
And dy'd that night all in a sweat.

A doubtfull meaning.

The Feminine kind is counted ill:

And is I swear: The contrary;

No man can find: That hurt they will;

But every where: Doe show pity;

To no kind heart: They will be curst;
To all true friends: They will be trusty ;
In no part: They work the worst ;
With tongue and mind: But honesty ;
They do detest: Inconstancy;
They do embrace: Honest intent;
They like least: Lewd fantasie;
In every case: Are penitent;
At no season: Doing amisse ;
To it truly Contrary;

To all reason: Subject and meek;
To no body: Malicious;

To friend or foe: Or gentle sort ;
They be never: Doing amisse;
In weale and woe: Of like report ;
They be ever: Be sure of this;

The Feminine kind: Shall have my heart;

Nothing at all: False they wil be;

In word and mind: To suffer smart ;

And ever shall: Believe you me.

These may be read backward or forward.

Joy, Mirth, Triumphs, I'do defié,"
Destroy me death'; fain would I dye***
Forlorn am I, love is exil'd,

Scorn smiles thereȧt; hope is beguil'd:

VOL. II.

Men banish'd blisse, in woe must dwelle
Then Joy, Mirth, Triumphs, all farewell.