Some Riddles from Symphosius
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CLAVIS
Great powers I have, small though my strength may be. Doors close and open through my potency. My master's house I guard, and he guards me.
ERICIUS
In a prickly house lives one whose life is charmed. Within an armory he dwells unarmed. His back is pierced with spears, yet he's unharmed.
FUNAMBULUS
Through middle air, where earth and heaven meet, A walker goes, with steps adept and neat, Upon a path more narrow than his feet.
TIGRIS
I'm named for a river, or it's named for me. Yoked to the wind, I'm swifter far than he. I need no mate; wind sires my progeny.
ROSA
Earth's crimson blush am I; it's beauty's hue. I'm ringed by spears that run intruders through. If only I lived longer than I do!
VIOLA
Great virtues, though I'm small, to me belong; I'm delicate, but my perfume is strong; Thornless, I need not blush for any wrong. [End Page 152]
TUS
Sweet scent of Araby which flames consume, To please the gods I burn in fire and fume, Though not deserving of a sinner's doom.
PISTILLUS
All things I powerfully crush and blend. I have one neck, with a head at either end. To more anatomy I don't pretend.
VINUM IN ACETUM CONVERSUM
Nothing's been either added to me or Withdrawn, yet what I was I am no more. I start to be what I was not before.
ANULUS CUM GEMMA
I cling to an extremity. You might say I'm part of it, so little do I weigh. My face makes good impressions every day.
PAPAVER
My head is large, but what's within are small. I've one leg only, but it's very tall. Sleep loves me, but I get no sleep at all.
RANA
Down at the pond, a raucous voice I raise In praiseful song, but it's myself I praise. I'm ever singing, but no one lauds my lays.
MUS
My house is small, but I never lock the door. Simply I live, upon a stolen store. My Latin name a Roman consul bore. [End Page 153]
FORMICA
I'm provident, and not an idle bum. I lug home food before the snowflakes come. Not in great loads, of course, but crumb by crumb.
MUSCA
A pest, on every noisome thing I prey. I shun the cold, but love a summer's day, Though man-made breezes frighten me away.
PEDUCULUS
Here's a new game of catch that all can play: If you catch it, you needn't keep it; or you may, If you don't catch it, keep it anyway.
(Key, Hedgehog, Tightrope-Walker, Tigress, Rose, Violet, Incense, Pestle, Wine Changed to Vinegar, Ring with Gem or Seal, Poppy, Frog, Mouse, Ant, Fly, Louse.)
Richard Wilbur is retired and lives in Cummington, Massachusetts, "where he tends a vegetable garden and writes." He wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to Raymond Ohl's 1928 edition of Symphosius for his poem "Some Riddles from Symphosius." He has recently translated two comedies of Pierre Corneille—The Liar and The Theatre of Illusion.
