Before creating Nature will'd
| First Line | Before creating Nature will'd |
|---|---|
| Date | 1737 |
| Description | Riddle. Transcribed from "A Riddle by a Lady." The Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 7 September 1737, p. 567. British Periodicals, [Proquest Document ID:] 8535142. |
| Links |
Transcription
Before creating Nature will'd
That atoms into form should jar,
By me the boundless space was fill'd,
On me was built the first-made star.
For me the Saint will break his word;
By the proud Atheist I'm rever'd;
At me the Coward draws his sword,
And by the Hero I am fear'd.
Scorn'd by the meek and humble mind,
Yet often by the vain possest;
Heard by the deaf, seen by the blind,
And to the troubled conscience rest.
Than wisdom's sacred self I'm wiser,
And yet by every blockhead known;
I'm freely given by the miser,
Kept by the prodigal alone.
The ***, God bless him! (as 'tis said)
At me is sometimes in a passion;
Yet even him I can persuade,
To act against his inclination.
As Vice deform'd, as Virtue fair,
The Courtier's loss, the Patriot's gains,
The Poet's purse, the Coxcomb's care,
Read,—and you'll have me for your pains.
Beinecke Osborn c116
| Title | Untitled |
|---|---|
| Period | 1761-1790 |
| Archive | Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library |
p. 39
Local title: A riddle by a young lady.
Attributed author: n/a
Adaptation: n/a
Other variants: n/a
Other: n/a
Beinecke Osborn c360 (1/3)
| Title | Untitled |
|---|---|
| Period | 1731-1760 |
| Archive | Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library |
p. 45
Local title: Riddle on nothing.
Attributed author: n/a
Adaptation: n/a
Other variants: Last line: Read, and you have it for your pains.
Other: n/a
Bodleian MS Eng. poet. d. 47
| Title | Lusus Seniles; or, Trifles To Kill Time in C [...] |
|---|---|
| Period | 1731-1760 , 1761-1790 |
| Archive | Bodleian Library |
f. 25
Local title: n/a
Attributed author: n/a
Adaptation: n/a
Other variants: Last line: Fools read, and take me for your pains.
Other: n/a
Bodleian MS Mont. e. 13
| Title | "A Book of Select Songs. Volume the first."; [...] |
|---|---|
| Period | 1731-1760 |
| Archive | Bodleian Library |
f. 163
Local title: Guess and take me.
Attributed author: n/a
Adaptation: n/a
Other variants: Last line: Fools read, and take me for your pains.
Other: n/a
British Library Add. MS 75569
| Title | Untitled |
|---|---|
| Period | 1731-1760 , 1761-1790 |
| Archive | British Library |
f. 45
Local title: A Riddle made in the reign of King Charles the Second.
Attributed author: n/a
Adaptation: n/a
Other variants: Last line: Solve me and have me for your pains.
Other: n/a
Clark MS 1968.002
| Title | Untitled |
|---|---|
| Period | 1731-1760 |
| Archive | Clark Library |
pp. 11–12
Local title: n/a
Attributed author: n/a
Adaptation: n/a
Other variants: Last line: Read and you have me for your pains.
Other: n/a