THE BOOKE O MERRIE Riddles.
Together with proper Questions, and witty Prouerbs, to make pleasant pastime.
No lesse vsefull then behoouefull, for any young man or childe, to knowe whether he be quicke witted or no.
LONDON Printed for Roger Iackson, and are to bee sold at his shop neere Fleet-street Conduit. 1617.
Heere beginneth the first Riddle.
TWo legges sate vpon [...] legges, and had one legge [...] her hand, then in came foure legges and bare away one leg, then vp start two legs, and threw thrée legs at foure legs, and brought one legge againe.
Solution.
That is a woman with two legs, that sate on a stoole with thrée legges, and had a legge of mutton in her hand, then came a dogge which hath foure legges, and bare away the legge of mutton, then vp start the woman and threw the stoole with thrée legges, at the dogge with foure legges, and brought the legge of mutton againe.
The 2. Riddle.
Solution.
[...] thorne, for a man went to the [...] caught a thorne in his foot, and [...] him downe, and sought to haue [...] out, and because he could not finde [...] must needs bring it home.
The 3. Riddle.
[...] worke is that, the faster yee worke, [...] it is ere yee haue done, and the [...] ye worke, the sooner ye make an end.
Solution.
That is turning of a spit: for if ye turne fast, it will be long ere the meat be enough, if yee turne slowly, it will be the sooner enough.
The 4. Riddle.
What is that that shineth bright al day, and at night is raked vp in his owne dirt.
Solution.
That is the fire, that burneth cleere all the day, and at night is raked vp in his ashes.
The 5. Riddle.
Solution.
That tree is the yeere, the twelue branches, the twelue noneths, the fiftie two nests, bee the fiftie two weekes, the seuen birds, be the seuen dayes in the wéeke, whereof euery one hath a diuerse name.
The 6. Riddle.
What is that, that is rough within, and red without, and bristled like a beares snowt: there is neuer a Lady in this land, but will be content to take it in her hand.
Solution.
That is an Eglantine berrie, for that is rough within, and redde without, and hath bristles on the tep.
The 7. Riddle.
What Kings, Quéenes, and their seruants be they, that bee burnt once a yéere, and bee cut and torne as small as flesh to the pot.
Solution.
Those bee the Kings and Quéenes and varlets among the cards, that be some burned, and some torne, and some cut.
The 8. Riddle.
What is that, that hath his belly ful of mans meat, and his mouth full of dirt.
Solution.
It is an Ouen when it is full of bread, or pies, for that is mans meat, and the Ouens mouth is then closed with dirt.
The 9. Riddle.
What is that that hath a beard of flesh, a mouth of horne, and feet like a Griffon.
Solution.
That is a Cocke, for his beard is flesh, his bill horne, and his feet like a Griffon.
The 10. Riddle.
What is that, the more yelay on, the faster it wasteth.
Solution.
That is a Whetstone, for the more yée whet the lesse is the whetstone.
The 11. Riddle.
Of what facultie be they, that euerie night turne the skins of dead beasts.
Solution.
Those be the religious persons, for euery night at Mattens, they turne the leaues of their Parchment bookes, that bee made of shéepe skinnes, or calnes skinnes.
The 12. Riddle.
Solution.
That is a paire of shooes on a mans féete, when a man leapeth ouer a lake, for they bee blacke, and they are within full of mans flesh and bones.
The 13. Riddle.
Solution.
Those were thrée flies that were shut vp in a Glasse, and the mouth of it stopped with a péece of bread.
The 14. Riddle.
Solution.
That is death, which slaieth Kings, Princes, Dukes, Earles, Gentlemen, and euery liuing creature.
The 15. Riddle.
Solution.
Her name is Anne, for in the fourth line it saith, An if ye tell be her name: but this riddle is not to bee séene on the booke, but it is to bee put without the booke, or else it shall soone be vnderstood.
The 16. Riddle.
Solution.
That is Marie and Iohn made great mone, When Christ on a Crosse was left alone. For Marie beginneth with M. Iohn beginneth with I, Christ beginneth with C, and Crosse beginneth with C. Also this riddle may be put another way, and that is this. A thousand and one made great mone, when a hundred on a hundred was left alone. For M, is for a thousand, and I, is for one, and C, for a hundred, and then is M. for Mary, I. for Iohn, C. for Christ, and then is the riddle very defuse.
The 17. Riddle.
Who bare the best burthen that euer was borne, at any time since, or any time beforne.
The 18. Riddle.
What is the most profitable beast, and that men eat least on.
Solution.
It is a Bee, for it maketh both hony and wax, and costeth his master nothing the keeping.
The 19 Riddle.
Solution.
It is my heart, for I am without it, insomuch that it is within mee, for yee may not vnderstand by the riddle that I lacke it.
The 20. Riddle.
Solution.
It is a little Popingay, for it is greene like a mede, and is not past a handfull brede, and it speaketh like a man.
Solution.
Her name is Lucy, for in the first line is L. V. C. I. which is Lucy: but this riddle must bee put and read thus, fifty and fiue, a hundred and one: then is the riddle very proper, for L. standeth for fifty, and V. for fiue, C. for a hundred, and I. for one.
The 22. Riddle.
What is that one seeketh for, and would not finde?
Solution.
That is, a hole in his shooe, or a peece of pilgrims salue on a seege boord, when hee commeth darklong in the night.
The 23. Riddle.
What is that I wish for, and would not haue?
Solution.
That is heauen, for many a man wisheth that hee were in heauen: and though they knew sure that they should goe thither straitwaies, yet would they bee loth to die and goe thither: And this riddle may be soyled another way, as when a man or woman doth say, a vengeance and a pestilence on her childe, or on her seruants, or wisheth them dead, yet would she be loth it were so. [Page]Mary percase if some woman wish such a wish to her husband, then peraduenture this riddle could not thereby be assoyled.
The 24. Riddle.
What is that as high as hall, as bitter as gall, as soft as silke, as white as milke?
Solution.
That is a walnut, for it groweth as hie as a hall, and the shell is as bitter as gall, and the rinde that couereth the kernell, is as soft as silke, and the kernell is as white as milke.
The 25. Riddle.
What was hee that slew the fourth part of the world.
Solution.
That was Cain, when he slew his brother Abel, for then there were no more persons in the world but foure, that is to say, Adam, Eue, Cain and Abel.
The 26. Riddle.
What three heads be they that vphold the world?
Solution.
Those bee, the hammer head, the plough bead, and the head that multiplieth the world.
The 27. Riddle.
what man is he that getteth his liuing backward?
The 28. Riddle.
Solution.
The fiue brethren, be 5. greene barbes vnder the rose leaues, which spring all at once, and two of them haue bristles like beardes on the edges and the other two haue none, but they be plaine on the edges, and the fist is bristled or bearded on the one side, and plain on the other.
The 29. Riddle.
What is he that goeth to the water, and leauesh his guts at home.
Solution.
That is a pillow béere, for when it goeth to washing, the pillow and the feathers bee left at home.
The 30. Riddle.
What is hee that goeth to the water on his head.
Solution.
That is a horseshooe naile, for the head is downeward.
The 31. Riddle.
What is that that goeth to the water, and the first that toucheth the water is his arse.
Solution.
That is a bucket in a well, or a payle.
The 32. Riddle.
What be they that be all day full, and empty at night.
Solution.
It is a paire of shooes, for all day they be full with mans féet, and at night when he goes to bed, they be empty: and it may bee asso yled by any other part of mans raiment.
The 33. Riddle.
Who is hee that eateth his mother in his grandams belly?
Solution.
It is a worme in a nut, for of the kernell of the nut commeth the worme, therefore the kernell is héere taken for the mother of the worme: and of the shel the kernel commeth: and therefore the shell is héere taken for the mother of the kernell, and the grandame of the worme.
The 34. Riddle.
Who is he that runneth through the hedge, and his house on his backe?
The 35. Riddle.
To what poore man is a mans almes worst bestowed.
Solution.
That is a blind man, for hee would with a good will sée him hanged that giueth him the almes.
The 36. Riddle.
What folke be they that loue not to be prayed for.
Solution.
Those be beggers and poore folk, when men say, I pray God helpe you.
The 37. Riddle.
Ten mens strength, and ten mens length, and tenne men cannot set it on end, what is that?
Solution.
That is a great roape or cable, of ten fadome in length or more, which ten men cannot set on end, nor ten score, nor ten thousand.
The 38. Riddle.
I gathered apples in a garden, and ere I could get out, I payd tolc for them at three gates. At the first gate I paid halfe the apples [Page]that I had gathered, and one more, and at the next gate I paid halfe the apples that I had left, and one more, and at the third gate I paid halfe the apples that I had left, and one more, and when I came out I had but one apple left: tell mee now how many apples I gathered in all.
Solution.
Hee gathered in all xxii. apples, for at the first gate he paid a xi. that was halfe, and one more, that was xii. so he had left ten, then at the second gate he paid fiue, that was halfe, and one more, that was sipe, so had hee left foure, and at the last gate hee paid two, that was halfe, and one more, that was iii. and so he had one left.
The 39. Riddle.
Garden waies, comfort of flowers, to hight my Lady, what hight yours?
Solution.
Her name wis Alison, for the waies in the gardens be called Allis, and the sunne is the comfort to all flowers, & so put them two together, and that maketh Alison.
The 40 Riddle.
Solution.
Her name is Braybrook, for when the Deare complaines, hunters say he brayeth, & the place of a Heron is a brooke, & then put them two together, and that makes Braybrooke. But this riddle was made by same Gentleman for his Ladies pleasure, and is neither proper for euery man, nor easie to be assoiled
The 41. Riddle.
What is that stan deth on this side the wood, and looketh ouer the wood.
Solution.
That is a Sow, that hath a yoke about her necke, for her féete bee on this side the wood, and her head is ouer the wood.
The 42. Riddle.
What is that goeth to the wood, and his head homeward.
Solution.
It is an are hanging vpon a mans backe, when he goeth to the wood.
The 43. Riddle.
What is that goeth to the wood, and carrieth his way on his necke.
Solution.
It is a man that goeth to the wood to fell boughes, and carrieth a ladder on his necke to get vppe.
The 44. Riddle.
I came to a trée where were apples, I eat no apples, I gaue away no apples, nor I left no apples behinde mee. And yet I eat, gaue away, and left behinde me.
Solution.
There were thrée apples on the trée, for I eat one apple, and gaue away one apple, and left one. And then I eate no apples, for I eate but one apple, which is no apples, and thus I gaue away no apples, for I gaue but one, and thus I left no apples, for I left but one.
The 45. Riddle.
What is that as small as a nit, and serues the king at euery bit.
Solution.
It is salt.
The 46. Riddle.
Solution.
It is the dew, for that lieth ouer all the world.
The 47. Riddle.
What is that, the more it is, the lesse men [Page]feare it, and the lesse it is, the more men dread it.
Solution.
It is a bridge, for if it be little, we are afraid to go ouer it for falling, and if it be bigge, we feare no more to goe ouer it, then on the ground.
The 48 Riddle.
I bought a brace of hounds for my Lordes grace, and when I departed from his place, I neither left them there, nor tooke them with mee, this maruellous thing how may it bee.
Solution.
I left one of the greyhounds there, and took the other with mee, so then I neither left them there, nor tooke them with me.
The 49. Riddle.
Here I haue it, and yonder I sée it.
Solution.
It is my breath in a mystie morning, for héere I haue it at my mouth, and yonder I sée it a yard from me.
The 50. Riddle.
What is that is higher then a hall, or a house and it séemes much lesser then a mouse.
Solution.
It is a starre in the skie.
The 51. Riddle.
Solution.
His name is William, for in the first line is will, and in the beginning of the second line is, I am, and then put them both together, and that maketh William.
The 52. Riddle.
Solution.
It is a booke tied within a silken lace, for the paper of it is as white as snow, and the inke is as blacke as a crow, and the leaues bee more pliant then a wand.
The 53. Riddle.
What space is it from the highest of the sea to the bottom.
Solution.
It is but a stones cast, for bee the sea neuer so déepe, a stone if it be cast in, will reach to the bottome.
Solution.
One if it be long enough.
The 55. Riddle.
Solution.
Her name is Maryan, for in the beginning it is said, Mary an Christ, but this riddle is to be put without the booke, and not be read, or else it will soone be perreiued.
The 56. Riddle.
Solution.
That is a Pie, that hoppeth in the street, for part of his feathers bee white, and part bee blacke.
The 57. Riddle.
What is that goeth about the wood, and cannot get in.
Solution.
It is a long Speare.
The 65. Riddle.
Solution.
It is a round bottome of thréed, which when it is vndone, it is much longer then Pauls stéeple.
The 66. Riddle.
Downe in the medow haue I two swine, the more meat I giue them, the lowder they cry, the lesse meat I giue them the stiller they be.
Solution.
These bee two milstones, which the more they grinde, the more noise they make, and they be called swins heere, because swine bée fed with corne, and so be they.
The 67. Riddle.
What is that, that goeth through the wood, and toucheth neuer a twig.
Solution.
It is the blast of a horne, or the cry of a beast, or such other.
The 68. Riddle.
Solution.
That is a man and a woman vpon a mares backe.
The 69. Riddle.
Solution.
It is a clapper in a bell, within a stéeple, for the Church is taken for the oake, the stéeple is taken for the nest, the bell is taken for the egge, and the clapper is taken for the yolke.
The 70. Riddle.
Solution.
It is a man riding on horsebacke, and hauing a hauke sitting on his hand.
The 71. Riddle.
Their answere.
Solution.
These two Gentlewomen had two sonnes, the one Thomas, and the other William: Thomas married Williams mother, and William married Thomas his mother, and either of them had a sonne by their wiues, which sonnes must néedes bee the sonnes of their sonnes, brothers to their husbands, the one vncle to the other, and they their lawfull mothers.
The 72. Riddle.
Ouer a water I must passe, and I must carry [Page]ouer a lambe, a woolfe, and a bottle of hay, if I carry any more then one at once, my boate will sinke: if I carry ouer the bottle of hay first, and leaue the lambe and the woolfe together, the wolfe will carry my lambe away, if I carry ouer the woolfe first, the lambe will eate my bottle of hay. Now would I know how I should carry them ouer, so that I leaue not the lambe with the woolfe, nor the bottle of hay with the lambe on neither side.
Solution.
First carry ouer the lambe, and then come againe and fetch the woolfe, and bring the lambe back again on the other side, and then take the bottle of hay and carry it, and then fetch ouer the lambe, and so the question is assoyled.
The 73. Riddle.
Solution.
One of the sonnes, had a sonne, thus hée is father, and standeth both for the father and the sonne.
The 74. Riddle.
I consume my mother that bare me, I eate my nurse that fedde mee, then I die leauing them all blind that saw me.
Solution.
Meant of the flame of a candle, which when it hath consumed both wax & wéek goeth out, leauing them in the darke which saw by it.
The 75. Riddle.
As long as I liue, I eate, but when I drinke I die.
Solution.
That is the fire, which continueth so long as it hath matter to burne vpon, except it be quenched with water, which may be termed the death of that nature.
The 76. Riddle.
Solution.
That is a trée, which signifieth the mother, the fruite the sonnes, and the leaues the daughters. [...]
¶ John Goose.
Proper Questions.
The first Question.
Solution.
I bought seuen Egges for euery penny, & the first Beggar had thrée Egges, the second six Egs, & the third beggar had twelue Egs.
The second Question.
Solution.
The one of them had fiue pence in his purse & the other had seuen pence in his purse, and so the question is assoyled. But if yee make the question, take alwayes two pence, then the numbers must be ten, & xiiii. of iii d. xv. & one and twentie, and so alway procéed forth.
The third Question.
Solution.
Account euer sixescore to the hundred, and reckon then, and ye shall finde that hee hath lost thereby, euen foure pence.
The fourth Question.
Solution.
The Sonne was Vncle to the Daughter, because that her brother was his Father: also, the Daughter was Aunt to the Sonne, because her brother was his Father.
The fifth Question.
Solution.
This man lay with the maide first, and so she lost her maiden-head: and afterwards he lent her twelue pence.
The sixth Question.
Solution.
The wiues husband dyed first, and after that, the Batcheler married her lawfully, [Page]and with her then he had carnall copulation.
The seuenth Question:
Solution.
The child that he begot vpon his wife was a daughter.
The eight Question.
The ninth Question.
Solution.
The one of the Sisters ware the one gloue, and one of the other Sisters ware the other.
The tenth Question.
Solution.
The poynting of the words, is the solution, as thus: Thou shalt go thither wel and safely, and from thence come home againe a-liue neuer: at that field shalt thou be slaine.
The eleuenth Question
Solution.
They buy these Oysters when they be very small, and kéepe them in créekes of the salt water a yeere or two, till they be great, and then one Bushell will make sire Bushels.
The twelfth Question.
Solution.
It is the person that speaketh the word: for he is neither brother nor sister to himselfe.
The thirteenth Question.
Solution.
First fill the fiue gallon vessel full, & then with that fill the thrée gallon vessell full then, and there remaineth in the fifth gallon vessel two gallons: then put the thrée gallons that bee in the thrée gallon vessell, into the eight gallon vessell, into the fiue gallon vessell, and then fill vp the 3. gallon vessell, with the fiue gallon vessell, and it will receiue but one gallon thereof, because there was in the thrée gallon vessell before, but two gallons, and so there will remaine in the fiue gallon vessell, iust foure gallons, and then you haue [Page]your purpose: that is to say, foure gallons mete truely by those thrée measures onely.
The fourteenth Question.
Solution.
The taile of the Fish was nine foot long, and the body, was twelue foot long: and because the head was thrée foot long, therefore the length of the whole Fish was fourtéene foot long, and so the question is assoyled.
The fifteenth Question.
Solution.
The widow was marryed, the mayde lost her mayden-head, and the horse was gelded: and then the Syip man carried them all ouer together in his Ship, and so saued his oath which he had taken before.
The sixteenth Question.
Choice and wittie Prouerbs.
- 1 SO great is the ill that doth not hurt mee, as is the good that doth not help mee.
- 2 Hee that for the new, leaueth the olde way, oftentimes is found to goe astray.
- 3 Giuen is dead: and restored is nought.
- 4 Conceale not the truth from the Physician and Laywer.
- 5 A young Barber and an olde Physician.
- 6 To looke for and not to come: To bee in bed, and not asléepe: To serue and not to be accepted, are thrée tedious things.
- 7 He that will not indure labour in this world, let him not be borne.
- 8 There is no vertue that pouertie destroyeth not.
- 9 The abundance of things ingendreth disdainefulnesse.
- [Page] 10 He that sitteth well, thinketh ill.
- 11 The mirth of the world dureth but a while.
- 12 He that vseth mee better then hee is wont, hath betrayed me, or will betray me.
- 13 He that doth not that whith he ought, that haps to him which he neuer thought.
- 14 He that hath time, hath life.
- 15 Al weapons of war cannot arme fear.
- 16 He helpes little, that helpes not himselfe.
- 17 So much is mine, as I possesse; and, giue or lose for for Gods sake.
- 18 Chuse not a woman, nor linnen cloth by the candle.
- 19 Kinsman helpes kinsman: but woe be to him that hath nothing.
- 20 Honours alter Manners.
- 21 Hee knoweth enough that knoweth nought, if hee knoweth how to holde his peace.
- 22 A man assaulted is halfe taken.
- 23 Hee that is wise in his owne eyes, there is more hope of a foole than such a one.
- 24 Old sinne, new repentance.
- 25 Sin that is hidden, is halfe forgiuen.
- 26 An ounce of state, requires a pound of gold.
- [Page] 27 He that liues well, dies well.
- 28 Hee that iudures hir; ouercommeth her.
- 29 Fly that present pleasure, which paines thee after wards.
- 30 Euery extreamitie is a fault.
- 31 Euery question requireth not answere.
- 32 Patience is sorrowes remedy.
- 33 Conscience serues for a thousand witnesses.
- 34 Nature is the true law.
- 35 All feare is bondage.
- 36 Things present are iudged by things past.
- 37 That is well done, which is done soone inough.
- 38 There is a remedy for all dolors, sauing for death.
- 39 The Law groweth of sinne, and chastiseth it.
- 40 The like I say, sits with the Iay.
- 41 Birds of a feather flée together.
- 42 One man is worth a hundred, and a hundred are not worth one.
- 43 A wise man ought not to be ashamed to change his purpose.
- 44 Maruell is the daughter of Ignorance.
- [Page] 45 The deeds are manly, and the words womanly.
- 46 The more that riches is honoured, she more is vertue despised.
- 47 Time is the father of Truth, and experience is the mother of Science.
- 48 Hee that soweth vertue, reapeth same.
- 49 Betimes in the Fishambles, and late in the Butchery.
- 50 To a good vnderstander, halfe a word is enough.
- 51 Flies goe to leane horses.
- 52 Hee that hath the world at will seemeth wife.
- 53 Prouide a Figge for thy friend; and a Peach for thy enemy.
- 54 The harts mirth, makes the face faire.
- 55 At mariages and burials, friends and kinsfolkes be knowne.
- 56 A dradly disease neither Physician nor physicke can ease.
- 57 The loue of a harlot, and wine of a flagon, is good in the morning, and naught in the euening.
- 58 An Asse pricked must needs trot.
- 59 Hee daunceth well enough, to whom fortune pipeth.
- [Page] 60 Hee gaineth enough, whom fortune loseth.
- 61 A dead Bée maketh no hony.
- 62 By one, and one, the spindles are made vp.
- 63 Faire words, and wicked déedes, de [...]ine wise men and fooles.
- 64 Ill goes the Boat without Oares.
- 65 An old band, is a Captaines honour.
- 66 A Barking dog sildome bites.
- 67 An old dog barkes not in vaine.
- 68 A running horse; an open graue.
- 69 A faire shop and little gaine.
- 70 He that buyeth deere, and taketh vpon credit, shall euer sell to his losse.
- 71 A fire of straw yéeldes naught but smoake.
- 72 Hee that hunts two Hares, loseth both.
- 73 Hee that is in pouertie, is in suspicion.
- 74 Hee that hath a good Speare, let him trie him.
- 75 Hee that doeth nothing, doeth euer amisse.
- 76 Hee that doth amisse, may doe well.
- 77 He that doth ill hateth the light.
- 78 He that hath no heart, hath legges.
- [Page] 79 He that hath no wise beateth her often
- 80 He that hath no children, doth bring them vp well.
- 81 Hee that hath not serued, knoweth not how to command.
- 82 He that cannot beate the horse, beate [...] the saddle.
- 83 He that doth not robbe, makes [...] roabe or a gowne.
- 84 He that hurts another, hurts himselfe.
- 85 A common seruant, is no mans seruant.
- 86 Hee that serues harlots, a is slaue to sinne.
- 87 He that will haue all, losethall.
- 88 He that goes to bed with dogs, arise with fleas.
- 89 He that goes to bed without his supper, is out of quiet all night.
- 90 Hee that goes and comes makes a good voyage.
- 91 Hee that liues in Court, dies vpon straw.
- 92 Speake no ill of another, till thou thinkest of thy selfe.
- 93 One crow neuer puls out anothers eyes.
- [Page] 94 From word to deed is a great spce.
- 95 Folly is wise in her owne eyes.
- 96 Hard with hard neuer made good wall.
- 97 Faire speech subdueth anger.
- 98 It is a goodly thing to take two Pigeons with one Beane.
- 99 Faire gayning, makes faire spen [...]g.
- 100 Mischiefe comes by pounds, and goes away by ounces.
- 101 Marriners craft is the grossest, yet of handy crafts the subtillest.
- 102 He whose belly is full, bel [...]eues not him that is fasting.
- 103 The Peach will haue wine, the Fig water.
- 104 Fish marreth the water, and flesh amends it.
- 105 He promises mountaines, and performes mole-hils.
- 106 Promising is the vigil of giuing.
- 107 More then enough breakes the Couer.
- 108 Sparing is the first gaining.
- 109 Wine by the sauour, bread by the colour.
- 110 Experience is somtimes dangerous.
- [Page] 111 Make mee a diuinour, and I will make thee rich.
- 112 Friars obseruants spare their one, [...]d eate other mens.
- 113 A gloued cat can catch no mice.
- 114 A broken bagge can hold no meal [...]
- 115 It thou wilt come with me, br [...] with thee.
- 116 Offices may well be giuen, br [...] discretion.
- 117 Suffer the ill, and looke for the go [...]
- 118 In the world their bee men that w [...] haue the egge, and the hen.
- 119 Aboue God there is no Lord.
- 120 Aboue blacke there is no colour, and aboue salt their is no fauour.
- 121 If it were not for hope the heart would breake.
- 122 Cut off a dogs taile, hee will bee a dogge still.
- 123 Naught is that Muse that findes no excuse.
- 124 Nought are those houses where the Hen crowes, and the Cock holds his peace.
- 125 He is in ill case that giues example to another.
- 126 Too much hope deceiueth.
- 127 All draw water to their own mill. [...]