MEN travel in my first, Although perhaps it ’s risky; My first goes round on wheels, Though not exactly frisky. Some may detest charades, And puzzles may distress them, But still they must admit It takes my last to guess them. Now all that I have said Is useless in the telling, Unless you take the word According to its spelling. But if you would prefer A varied information, We ’ll now divide it up By its pronunciation. And then we see my first, Scaly and sticky-jointed Upon a rounded base, And very neatly jointed. My second then becomes A horned beast, and hairy; Or else a lovely lace, Fit to bedeck a fairy. When merry Yuletide comes, And Christmas joys returning, In the old hall we ’ll sit, And watch my total burning. |