Cassell's Book of In-door Amusements, Card Games, and Fireside Fun

by Various

ENIGMAS.

The Enigma hints the thing it would convey,

In terms quite various—opposite, some say,

The secret it reveals, but not so clear as day;

For in dark and mazy paths it ever loves to stray.

This jingle of four lines will convey to the reader some idea of the peculiarities of this word puzzle. We may, however, add, that the modern enigma may be based upon a single object, word, or even a letter of the alphabet; and, like the conundrum, may be made to turn on the rare and unusual use of the word employed.

The most celebrated enigma, perhaps, is one formed on the letter H. It has for years been attributed to, and is included in the works of, Lord Byron, from a copy of which we extract it; but the belief is now prevalent that it was written by Miss Katherine Fanshawe.

"'Twas whisper'd in heaven, 'twas mutter'd in hell,

And echo caught faintly the sound as it fell;

On the confines of earth 'twas permitted to rest,

And the depths of the ocean its presence confess'd.

'Twill be found in the sphere when 'tis riven asunder,

'Tis seen in the lightning, and heard in the thunder;

'Twas allotted to man from his earliest breath,

It assists at his birth, and attends at his death;

Presides o'er his happiness, honour, and health,

Is the prop of his house, and the end of his wealth.

In the heap of the miser 'tis hoarded with care,

But is sure to be lost in his prodigal heir.

It begins every hope, every birth it must bound,

It prays with the hermit; with monarchs is crowned;

Without it the soldier and seaman may roam,

But woe to the wretch that expels it from home.

In the whispers of conscience 'tis sure to be heard,

Nor e'en in the whirlwind of passion is drowned;

'Twill soften the heart, though deaf to the ear,

'Twill make it acutely and constantly hear;

But in short, let it rest—like a beautiful flower,

Oh, breathe on it softly, it dies in an hour."

Lord Byron did, however, compose an Enigma on the letter I, which is equally clever, but perhaps not so well known:—

"I am not in youth, nor in manhood, nor age,

But in infancy ever am known;

I'm a stranger alike to the fool and the sage;

And though I'm distinguished in history's page,

I always am greatest alone.

I am not in earth, nor the sun, nor the moon;

You may search all the sky—I'm not there.

In the morning and evening—though not in the noon—

You may plainly perceive me; for, like a balloon,

I am midway suspended in air.

Though disease may possess me, and sickness and pain,

I'm never in sorrow nor gloom.

Though in wit and in wisdom I equally reign,

I'm the heart of all sin, and have long lived in vain,

Yet I ne'er shall be found in the tomb."

The next two Enigmas are attributed to Charles James Fox.

"Formed long ago, yet made to-day;

And most employed when others sleep;

What few would like to give away,

And fewer still to keep."

Answer: A bed.

"You eat me, you drink me, describe me who can,

For I'm sometimes a woman, and sometimes a man."

Answer: A toast.

To the pen of Germany's celebrated poet, Schiller, we are indebted for the following expressive Enigma:—

"A bridge weaves its arch with pearls

High over the tranquil sea.

In a moment it unfurls,

Its span unbounded, free.

The tallest ship with swelling sail

May pass 'neath its arch with ease,

It carries no burden, 'tis too frail,

And when you approach, it flees.

With the flood it comes, with the rain it goes,

And what it is made of nobody knows."

Answer: Rainbow.

The remaining miscellaneous Enigmas will suffice to show the variations of which the puzzle is capable:—

A lady gave me a gift she had not,

And I received her gift, which I took not;

She gave it willingly, and yet she would not.

If she give it me once I force not;

If she take it again I grieve not.

Consider what this is, and tell not,

For I am fast sworn—I may not.

The answer to this quaint and humorous Enigma is, A Kiss. The last line will be understood by the old adage, "Kiss and never tell."

In other days, when hope was bright,

You spoke to me of love and light,

But now you tell another tale,

That life is brief and beauty frail;

Away, ye grieve and ye rejoice,

In one unfelt, unfeeling voice.

Answer: Church Bells.

Enough for one, too much for two, and nothing at all for three.

Answer: A Secret.

Scorned by the meek and humble mind,

And often by the vain possessed;

Heard by the deaf, seen by the blind,

I give the troubled spirit rest.

Answer: Nothing.

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