[40]
Entire I’m false as false can be,
And every one should doubt me,
But without hat and wig, you’ll see,
There’s nothing false about me.
[41]
What preposition by prefixing a letter is what we do every day; by prefixing another, is what we have in summer; by prefixing yet another, is a kind of grain?
[42]
My whole is in cottage, and palace, and hall,
And is constantly used by the great and the small,
Beheaded, it still is attached to a head,
And of various colors, black, brown, white, or red.
Behead it again, and all heads would lie low,
If deprived of its aid, as you probably know.
[43]
One, two, three, four, are all the same in sound,
Whatever difference in their sense is found;
My number one was once performed, you’ll say,
For some you honor, on a joyful day.
For number two each claims that he contends,
Who fights another, or himself defends.
My number three is something I can do,
And hope the same may be affirmed of you.
A man of handicraft is number four.
Now, if you know them all, I’ll say no more.