Parent of softest sounds, though mute for ever."
The answer is, Cod; and every line reveals a fresh play upon the word. Cut off its head, and it is od (odd), singular; its tail, and it is plural, Co. (the abbreviation for Company); cut off its head and tail, and it is O (nothing); the head cut off, is a sounding Sea (C); its tail, a flowing river—Dee (D). Amid their (the sea and the Dee) depths the Cod may play, parent of softest sounds (the air bladder of the cod, a favourite delicacy to many), yet mute for ever.
Charles James Fox, the history of whose early life has been written by Mr. G. O. Trevelyan, is to be credited with the following clever logograph:—
"What is pretty and useful, in various ways;
Though it tempts some poor mortals to shorten their days;
Take one letter from it, and then will appear
What youngsters admire every day in the year;
Take two letters from it, and then, without doubt,
You are what that is, if you don't find it out."
Answer: Glass, Lass, Ass.