ENIGMA.301.
301.
Though for years I had lived, I was unknown to fame,Till I rescued a slave, and I gave him my name.Though then Abolitionist—still I enthrall,And unless I imprison—of no use at all.’Tis strange I should be both a boon and a blow,But when you discern me, this fact you will know.Doctors’ stuff I convey and small matters unfold,Yet rare gems I preserve and great nuggets of gold.In form I am round or three-cornered or square,And at once I am known as both common and rare.If you wish to be safe when you look at a show,You must pay for, and take me, and sit in a row.Clothed in crimson, and purple, and black I am seen,Yet in gardens in winter I’m constantly green.I am valued and dear, though ’tis equally clear,I am scorned and am hated when placed on theear.Both of light goods and heavy I carry the trade,Yet in gold I’m oft clothed and in jewels arrayed.If bad passion disturb, or should ill-will excite,I become the forerunner of many a fight.Yet stranger than all these remarkable things,I’m a gift oft bestowed by princes and kings.
Though for years I had lived, I was unknown to fame,Till I rescued a slave, and I gave him my name.Though then Abolitionist—still I enthrall,And unless I imprison—of no use at all.’Tis strange I should be both a boon and a blow,But when you discern me, this fact you will know.Doctors’ stuff I convey and small matters unfold,Yet rare gems I preserve and great nuggets of gold.In form I am round or three-cornered or square,And at once I am known as both common and rare.If you wish to be safe when you look at a show,You must pay for, and take me, and sit in a row.Clothed in crimson, and purple, and black I am seen,Yet in gardens in winter I’m constantly green.I am valued and dear, though ’tis equally clear,I am scorned and am hated when placed on theear.Both of light goods and heavy I carry the trade,Yet in gold I’m oft clothed and in jewels arrayed.If bad passion disturb, or should ill-will excite,I become the forerunner of many a fight.Yet stranger than all these remarkable things,I’m a gift oft bestowed by princes and kings.
Though for years I had lived, I was unknown to fame,
Till I rescued a slave, and I gave him my name.
Though then Abolitionist—still I enthrall,
And unless I imprison—of no use at all.
’Tis strange I should be both a boon and a blow,
But when you discern me, this fact you will know.
Doctors’ stuff I convey and small matters unfold,
Yet rare gems I preserve and great nuggets of gold.
In form I am round or three-cornered or square,
And at once I am known as both common and rare.
If you wish to be safe when you look at a show,
You must pay for, and take me, and sit in a row.
Clothed in crimson, and purple, and black I am seen,
Yet in gardens in winter I’m constantly green.
I am valued and dear, though ’tis equally clear,
I am scorned and am hated when placed on theear.
Both of light goods and heavy I carry the trade,
Yet in gold I’m oft clothed and in jewels arrayed.
If bad passion disturb, or should ill-will excite,
I become the forerunner of many a fight.
Yet stranger than all these remarkable things,
I’m a gift oft bestowed by princes and kings.
N.B.—As I find it impossible to display all my qualities and peculiarities in verse, I will endeavor to describe myself more minutely in plain prose. I am either animal, vegetable, or mineral, and though sometimes no bigger than a bright copper penny or a silver sixpence, yet I am at times as large as a room—indeed, Iama room, and can contain several people; and then, too, I am made narrow, and can only contain one horse! In summer and winter I flourish as a vegetable, and am often cut, but never served at table. I am most valued at the end of the year, when I am often given and often taken. Though unlearned, I have given name to a science—a verystrikingquality you will acknowledge, when you know me. If you discover me, you deserve me as areward. If you are dull of comprehension, you deserve me as apunishment! May you have your deserts!
N.B.—As I find it impossible to display all my qualities and peculiarities in verse, I will endeavor to describe myself more minutely in plain prose. I am either animal, vegetable, or mineral, and though sometimes no bigger than a bright copper penny or a silver sixpence, yet I am at times as large as a room—indeed, Iama room, and can contain several people; and then, too, I am made narrow, and can only contain one horse! In summer and winter I flourish as a vegetable, and am often cut, but never served at table. I am most valued at the end of the year, when I am often given and often taken. Though unlearned, I have given name to a science—a verystrikingquality you will acknowledge, when you know me. If you discover me, you deserve me as areward. If you are dull of comprehension, you deserve me as apunishment! May you have your deserts!