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A Riddle By [I.C.]

Oh! how shall I, no Sphinx, a tale so frame That wise ones may pereive, or miss its aim; Reveal the truth, & yet contrive to hide it? Truth plainly told, - In those days who'd abide it! Come then thou subtle enigmatic muse Describe the properties, & shew the use Of something, wch tho daily in our sight, Darkness awhile must screen from garish light. Gainst garish light no shades [woud] ought prevail, Then patience, while I darkly tell my tale.

Various my parents, or in forests born Or by rude hands from earth's dark entrails torn; Yet found am I, e'ersince my race began, In every clime from England to Japan; Content to dwell, as dooms all ruling fate In cottage humbleness, or palace state; As various is my shape as is my worth, - High, low, long, short, round, angluar & so forth. Nor yet less versions my complexion is seen - Fair, brown, black, olive, red, & sometimes green. But what of this? My parts more wond'rous are Form'd 'gainst all natures laws, & passing rare: For, tho' Ive legs & feet, I cannot walk; And, tho I have a head I cannot talk. Yet where's the man can do wt I can do Who stand more firmly on one leg than two? Bloodless my veins; yet Harveys brethren know With circulation how my vessels flow.