Friday, October 12, 2012

Mr. Punch's Puzzles: The Riddle of the Week






Once, again, Mr. Punch, with my help, is offering up a true Victorian riddle.  The first person to answer correctly--by posting in the comments--will receive public congratulations.  

So, here's this week's riddle.  We ask that you don't Google the answer.  Mr. Punch would not find that sporting at all.  Give it a shot and see what you can come up with.  Here we go... No cheating...

For vigilance and courage true,
I've no superior, equals few:
Which makes me by the industrious priz'd,
But by the indolent despis'd;
Bold and alert I meet the foe,
In all engagements without valour show;
And if he proves too proud to yield,
One falls before we quite the field.


UPDATE:


And, the answer is...

A ROOSTER.

Didn't see that coming, did you?  Technically, the answer given in the 1828 book from which I steal these is "a cock," but we'll use rooster instead.  In that event, by sheer rhyming, Matt's cryptic and sensitive answer of "socks" is the closest.  Conceptually, a lot of you came close with answers related to keeping time.  Dashwood had several in fact.  And, of course, there's always Mighty Mouse and Gene's mother-in-law.  So, let's all say "Hey" to Angelo.  "Hey, Angelo."  And, carry on.  Everyone did a great job.  Thanks for playing and come back next Friday for another of Mr. Punch's Puzzles.  


Mr. Punch wants you to always know “the way to do it,” so why not check out our “That’s the way to do it!” products which are available only at our online store.  



19 comments:

April said...

For Darcy I will say Bo Peep's army.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Quite true.

Sam P said...

An alarm clock?

Matt said...

Socks. They have got to be brave to put up with what they do.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Interesting.

Carolyn said...

Teeth

Joseph Crisalli said...

Uhhh...no.

Gene said...

Not my mother in law.

Joseph Crisalli said...

No doubt.

Shawn said...

I think it has to be a wonderful coffee-pot filled with rich, aromatic coffee to get one ready for another day.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Many would agree, I'm sure.

Dashwood said...

I think that Matt's answer is more of a puzzle than the riddle. Going to spend the afternoon trying to identify with my feet.

Somehow I get a mental picture of a tree in reading the riddle and so my answer is a watchful cow.

Joseph Crisalli said...

That makes as much sense as Matt's

Darcy said...

Mighty Mouse

Joseph Crisalli said...

Good idea!

Angelo said...

No answer. Just sayin hey.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Hey, Angelo.

Dashwood said...

Would it be

1) a clock tower?
2) Or a passing hour?
3) Lady Gaga?




Joseph Crisalli said...

All three are close in one way or another.