The booke o[f] merrie riddles Together with proper questions, and witty prouerbs,to make pleasant pastime. No lesse vsefull then behoouefull, for any young man or childe, to knowe whether he be quick-witted or no.

IS thy wit quicke ? Than do not stick To read these Riddles dark : Which if thou doo , And rightly too , Thou art a wittie Spark .

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THE BOOKE O MERRIE Riddles .

Together with proper Questions , and witty Prouerbs , to make pleasant pastime .

No lesse vsefull then behoouefull , for any young man or childe , to knowe whether he be quicke witted or no.

LONDON Printed for Roger Iackson , and are to bee sold at his shop neere Fleet-street Conduit . 1617.

Heere beginneth the first Riddle .

TWo legges sate vpon 〈◊〉 legges , and had one legge 〈◊〉 her hand , then in came foure legges and bare away one leg , then vp start two legs , and threw thrée legs at foure legs , and brought one legge againe .

Solution .

That is a woman with two legs , that sate on a stoole with thrée legges , and had a legge of mutton in her hand , then came a dogge which hath foure legges , and bare away the legge of mutton , then vp start the woman and threw the stoole with thrée legges , at the dogge with foure legges , and brought the legge of mutton againe .

The 2. Riddle . He went to the wood and caught it , He sate him downe and sought it , Because he could not find it , He brought it home with him .

Solution .

〈…〉 thorne , for a man went to the 〈…〉 caught a thorne in his foot , and 〈…〉 him downe , and sought to haue 〈…〉 out , and because he could not finde 〈…〉 must needs bring it home .

The 3. Riddle .

〈…〉 worke is that , the faster yee worke , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is ere yee haue done , and the 〈…〉 ye worke , the sooner ye make an end .

Solution .

That is turning of a spit : for if ye turne fast , it will be long ere the meat be enough , if yee turne slowly , it will be the sooner enough .

The 4. Riddle .

What is that that shineth bright al day , and at night is raked vp in his owne dirt .

Solution .

That is the fire , that burneth cleere all the day , and at night is raked vp in his ashes .

The 5. Riddle . I haue a trée of great honour , Which tree beareth both fruit and flower , Twelue branches this trée hath nake , Fifty nests therein be make , And euery nest hath birds seuen , Thanked be the King of heauen : And euerie bird hath a diuerse name , How may all this together frame ?

Solution .

That tree is the yeere , the twelue branches , the twelue noneths , the fiftie two nests , bee the fiftie two weekes , the seuen birds , be the seuen dayes in the wéeke , whereof euery one hath a diuerse name .

The 6. Riddle .

What is that , that is rough within , and red without , and bristled like a beares snowt : there is neuer a Lady in this land , but will be content to take it in her hand .

Solution .

That is an Eglantine berrie , for that is rough within , and redde without , and hath bristles on the tep .

The 7. Riddle .

What Kings , Quéenes , and their seruants be they , that bee burnt once a yéere , and bee cut and torne as small as flesh to the pot .

Solution .

Those bee the Kings and Quéenes and varlets among the cards , that be some burned , and some torne , and some cut .

The 8. Riddle .

What is that , that hath his belly ful of mans meat , and his mouth full of dirt .

Solution .

It is an Ouen when it is full of bread , or pies , for that is mans meat , and the Ouens mouth is then closed with dirt .

The 9. Riddle .

What is that that hath a beard of flesh , a mouth of horne , and feet like a Griffon .

Solution .

That is a Cocke , for his beard is flesh , his bill horne , and his feet like a Griffon .

The 10. Riddle .

What is that , the more yelay on , the faster it wasteth .

Solution .

That is a Whetstone , for the more yée whet the lesse is the whetstone .

The 11. Riddle .

Of what facultie be they , that euerie night turne the skins of dead beasts .

Solution .

Those be the religious persons , for euery night at Mattens , they turne the leaues of their Parchment bookes , that bee made of shéepe skinnes , or calnes skinnes .

The 12. Riddle . Two blacke , Leapt ouer the lake , With their mouths full of mans bones .

Solution .

That is a paire of shooes on a mans féete , when a man leapeth ouer a lake , for they bee blacke , and they are within full of mans flesh and bones .

The 13. Riddle . Three prisoners such as it was , Were shut vp in a prison of glasse , The prison doore was made of bread , And yet they were for hunger dead .

Solution .

Those were thrée flies that were shut vp in a Glasse , and the mouth of it stopped with a péece of bread .

The 14. Riddle . Little boy bunting , Sate on the house easing , With a bow and a bolt , Slaieth the king and all his folke .

Solution .

That is death , which slaieth Kings , Princes , Dukes , Earles , Gentlemen , and euery liuing creature .

The 15. Riddle . Yonder side sea is there a bote , The kings daughter of England , there shée sate : And if ye tell me her name , no man it wot , What was the maids name that sate in the bote ?

Solution .

Her name is Anne , for in the fourth line it saith , An if ye tell be her name : but this riddle is not to bee séene on the booke , but it is to bee put without the booke , or else it shall soone be vnderstood .

The 16. Riddle . M. and I. made great mone , When C. vpon C. was left alone .

Solution .

That is Marie and Iohn made great mone , When Christ on a Crosse was left alone . For Marie beginneth with M. Iohn beginneth with I , Christ beginneth with C , and Crosse beginneth with C. Also this riddle may be put another way , and that is this . A thousand and one made great mone , when a hundred on a hundred was left alone . For M , is for a thousand , and I , is for one , and C , for a hundred , and then is M. for Mary , I. for Iohn , C. for Christ , and then is the riddle very defuse .

The 17. Riddle .

Who bare the best burthen that euer was borne , at any time since , or any time beforne .

Solution .

It was the Asse that bare both our Lady and her sonne out of Egypt .

The 18. Riddle .

What is the most profitable beast , and that men eat least on .

Solution .

It is a Bee , for it maketh both hony and wax , and costeth his master nothing the keeping .

The 19 Riddle . I am without it , and yet I haue it , Tell me what it is , I pray God saue it .

Solution .

It is my heart , for I am without it , insomuch that it is within mee , for yee may not vnderstand by the riddle that I lacke it .

The 20. Riddle . What is that is like a mede , And is not past a handfull brede , And hath a voyce like a man , You will tell me this , but I wot not whan .

Solution .

It is a little Popingay , for it is greene like a mede , and is not past a handfull brede , and it speaketh like a man .

The 21. Riddle . L. and V. and C. and I. So height my Lady at the font stone .

Solution .

Her name is Lucy , for in the first line is L. V. C. I. which is Lucy : but this riddle must bee put and read thus , fifty and fiue , a hundred and one : then is the riddle very proper , for L. standeth for fifty , and V. for fiue , C. for a hundred , and I. for one .

The 22. Riddle .

What is that one seeketh for , and would not finde ?

Solution .

That is , a hole in his shooe , or a peece of pilgrims salue on a seege boord , when hee commeth darklong in the night .

The 23. Riddle .

What is that I wish for , and would not haue ?

Solution .

That is heauen , for many a man wisheth that hee were in heauen : and though they knew sure that they should goe thither straitwaies , yet would they bee loth to die and goe thither : And this riddle may be soyled another way , as when a man or woman doth say , a vengeance and a pestilence on her childe , or on her seruants , or wisheth them dead , yet would she be loth it were so . Mary percase if some woman wish such a wish to her husband , then peraduenture this riddle could not thereby be assoyled .

The 24. Riddle .

What is that as high as hall , as bitter as gall , as soft as silke , as white as milke ?

Solution .

That is a walnut , for it groweth as hie as a hall , and the shell is as bitter as gall , and the rinde that couereth the kernell , is as soft as silke , and the kernell is as white as milke .

The 25. Riddle .

What was hee that slew the fourth part of the world .

Solution .

That was Cain , when he slew his brother Abel , for then there were no more persons in the world but foure , that is to say , Adam , Eue , Cain and Abel .

The 26. Riddle .

What three heads be they that vphold the world ?

Solution .

Those bee , the hammer head , the plough bead , and the head that multiplieth the world .

The 27. Riddle .

what man is he that getteth his liuing backward ?

Solution .

That is a Ropemaker , for as hee maketh his Ropes , he goeth alwayes backward .

The 28. Riddle . Fiue brethren were bred at once , Without any flesh , bloud , or bones , Two haue beards , and two haue none , The fift hath but halfe a one .

Solution .

The fiue brethren , be 5. greene barbes vnder the rose leaues , which spring all at once , and two of them haue bristles like beardes on the edges and the other two haue none , but they be plaine on the edges , and the fist is bristled or bearded on the one side , and plain on the other .

The 29. Riddle .

What is he that goeth to the water , and leaueth his guts at home .

Solution .

That is a pillow béere , for when it goeth to washing , the pillow and the feathers bee left at home .

The 30. Riddle .

What is hee that goeth to the water on his head .

Solution .

That is a horseshooe naile , for the head is downeward .

The 31. Riddle .

What is that that goeth to the water , and the first that toucheth the water is his arse .

Solution .

That is a bucket in a well , or a payle .

The 32. Riddle .

What be they that be all day full , and empty at night .

Solution .

It is a paire of shooes , for all day they be full with mans féet , and at night when he goes to bed , they be empty : and it may bee asso yled by any other part of mans raiment .

The 33. Riddle .

Who is hee that eateth his mother in his grandams belly ?

Solution .

It is a worme in a nut , for of the kernell of the nut commeth the worme , therefore the kernell is héere taken for the mother of the worme : and of the shel the kernel commeth : and therefore the shell is héere taken for the mother of the kernell , and the grandame of the worme .

The 34. Riddle .

Who is he that runneth through the hedge , and his house on his backe ?

Solution .

That is a snaile , which wheresoeuer he goeth , he carrieth his house on his backe .

The 35. Riddle .

To what poore man is a mans almes worst bestowed .

Solution .

That is a blind man , for hee would with a good will sée him hanged that giueth him the almes .

The 36. Riddle .

What folke be they that loue not to be prayed for .

Solution .

Those be beggers and poore folk , when men say , I pray God helpe you .

The 37. Riddle .

Ten mens strength , and ten mens length , and tenne men cannot set it on end , what is that ?

Solution .

That is a great roape or cable , of ten fadome in length or more , which ten men cannot set on end , nor ten score , nor ten thousand .

The 38. Riddle .

I gathered apples in a garden , and ere I could get out , I payd tolc for them at three gates . At the first gate I paid halfe the apples that I had gathered , and one more , and at the next gate I paid halfe the apples that I had left , and one more , and at the third gate I paid halfe the apples that I had left , and one more , and when I came out I had but one apple left : tell mee now how many apples I gathered in all .

Solution .

Hee gathered in all xxii . apples , for at the first gate he paid a xi . that was halfe , and one more , that was xii . so he had left ten , then at the second gate he paid fiue , that was halfe , and one more , that was sipe , so had hee left foure , and at the last gate hee paid two , that was halfe , and one more , that was iii. and so he had one left .

The 39. Riddle .

Garden waies , comfort of flowers , to hight my Lady , what hight yours ?

Solution .

Her name wis Alison , for the waies in the gardens be called Allis , and the sunne is the comfort to all flowers , & so put them two together , and that maketh Alison .

The 40 Riddle . The Deare complaines and mones , The Heron féeding in her place , This is the name of my Ladies grace .

Solution .

Her name is Braybrook , for when the Deare complaines , hunters say he brayeth , & the place of a Heron is a brooke , & then put them two together , and that makes Braybrooke . But this riddle was made by same Gentleman for his Ladies pleasure , and is neither proper for euery man , nor easie to be assoiled

The 41. Riddle .

What is that standeth on this side the wood , and looketh ouer the wood .

Solution .

That is a Sow , that hath a yoke about her necke , for her féete bee on this side the wood , and her head is ouer the wood .

The 42. Riddle .

What is that goeth to the wood , and his head homeward .

Solution .

It is an are hanging vpon a mans backe , when he goeth to the wood .

The 43. Riddle .

What is that goeth to the wood , and carrieth his way on his necke .

Solution .

It is a man that goeth to the wood to fell boughes , and carrieth a ladder on his necke to get vppe .

The 44. Riddle .

I came to a trée where were apples , I eat no apples , I gaue away no apples , nor I left no apples behinde mee . And yet I eat , gaue away , and left behinde me .

Solution .

There were thrée apples on the trée , for I eat one apple , and gaue away one apple , and left one . And then I eate no apples , for I eate but one apple , which is no apples , and thus I gaue away no apples , for I gaue but one , and thus I left no apples , for I left but one .

The 45. Riddle .

What is that as small as a nit , and serues the king at euery bit .

Solution .

It is salt .

The 46. Riddle . There is a water that I must passe , The broadest water that euer was , And yet of all waters that euer I sée , To passe it ouer is least ieopardy .

Solution .

It is the dew , for that lieth ouer all the world .

The 47. Riddle .

What is that , the more it is , the lesse men feare it , and the lesse it is , the more men dread it .

Solution .

It is a bridge , for if it be little , we are afraid to go ouer it for falling , and if it be bigge , we feare no more to goe ouer it , then on the ground .

The 48 Riddle .

I bought a brace of hounds for my Lordes grace , and when I departed from his place , I neither left them there , nor tooke them with mee , this maruellous thing how may it bee .

Solution .

I left one of the greyhounds there , and took the other with mee , so then I neither left them there , nor tooke them with me .

The 49. Riddle .

Here I haue it , and yonder I sée it .

Solution .

It is my breath in a mystie morning , for héere I haue it at my mouth , and yonder I sée it a yard from me .

The 50. Riddle .

What is that is higher then a hall , or a house and it séemes much lesser then a mouse .

Solution .

It is a starre in the skie .

The 51. Riddle . My Louers will , I am content for to fulfill , Within this rime his name is framed , Tell me then how he is named .

Solution .

His name is William , for in the first line is will , and in the beginning of the second line is , I am , and then put them both together , and that maketh William .

The 52. Riddle . What is that , that is as white as snow , And yet as blacke as any crow , And more pliant then a wand , And is tied in a silken band , And euery day a Princes péere , Looketh vpon it with a sad chéere .

Solution .

It is a booke tied within a silken lace , for the paper of it is as white as snow , and the inke is as blacke as a crow , and the leaues bee more pliant then a wand .

The 53. Riddle .

What space is it from the highest of the sea to the bottom .

Solution .

It is but a stones cast , for bee the sea neuer so déepe , a stone if it be cast in , will reach to the bottome .

The 54. Riddle .

How many calues tailes will reach to the skie .

Solution .

One if it be long enough .

The 55. Riddle . Mary an Christ loued very well , My Ladies name héere I do tell , Yet is her name neither Christ nor mary , Tell me her name then , and doe not tarry .

Solution .

Her name is Maryan , for in the beginning it is said , Mary an Christ , but this riddle is to be put without the booke , and not be read , or else it will soone be perreiued .

The 56. Riddle . What is that as white as milke , As soft as silke , As blacke as a coale , And hoppeth in the stréet like a stéed fole .

Solution .

That is a Pie , that hoppeth in the street , for part of his feathers bee white , and part bee blacke .

The 57. Riddle .

What is that goeth about the wood , and cannot get in .

will not lie in a great chest .

Solution .

It is a long Speare .

The 65. Riddle . What is that as round as a ball , Longer then Pauls stéeple , weather-cocke and all .

Solution .

It is a round bottome of thréed , which when it is vndone , it is much longer then Pauls stéeple .

The 66. Riddle .

Downe in the medow haue I two swine , the more meat I giue them , the lowder they cry , the lesse meat I giue them the stiller they be .

Solution .

These bee two milstones , which the more they grinde , the more noise they make , and they be called swins heere , because swine bée fed with corne , and so be they .

The 67. Riddle .

What is that , that goeth through the wood , and toucheth neuer a twig .

Solution .

It is the blast of a horne , or the cry of a beast , or such other .

The 68. Riddle . What is that , that hath flue legges on one side , and three on the other . Thrée heads and six eares , and two things like my mother . And yet such another thing as hath my brother .

Solution .

That is a man and a woman vpon a mares backe .

The 69. Riddle . Beyond the sea there is an oake , And in that oake there is a nest , And in that nest there is an egge , And in that egge there is a yolke , That calleth together Christian folke .

Solution .

It is a clapper in a bell , within a stéeple , for the Church is taken for the oake , the stéeple is taken for the nest , the bell is taken for the egge , and the clapper is taken for the yolke .

The 70. Riddle . Downe in a dale there sits and stands , Eight legges and two hands , Liuers and Lights , and liues thrée , I count him wise that tels this to me .

Solution .

It is a man riding on horsebacke , and hauing a hauke sitting on his hand .

The 71. Riddle . Walking abroad to take the aire , I met two Ladies bright and faire , Two pretty boyes by the hands they led , And thus vnto them both I said : O ye faire Ladies I pray you tell me , By nature and kind whose children these be .

Their answere . Gentleman , if yee will the truth knowe plaine , The sonnes of our sonnes they be certaine : Brothers to our husbands they be ywis , And truly each of them to the other vncle is . Begotten and borne in wedlocke they be , And we are their mothers we tell you truly .

Solution .

These two Gentlewomen had two sonnes , the one Thomas , and the other William : Thomas married Williams mother , and William married Thomas his mother , and either of them had a sonne by their wiues , which sonnes must néedes bee the sonnes of their sonnes , brothers to their husbands , the one vncle to the other , and they their lawfull mothers .

The 72. Riddle .

Ouer a water I must passe , and I must carry ouer a lambe , a woolfe , and a bottle of hay , if I carry any more then one at once , my boate will sinke : if I carry ouer the bottle of hay first , and leaue the lambe and the woolfe together , the wolfe will carry my lambe away , if I carry ouer the woolfe first , the lambe will eate my bottle of hay . Now would I know how I should carry them ouer , so that I leaue not the lambe with the woolfe , nor the bottle of hay with the lambe on neither side .

Solution .

First carry ouer the lambe , and then come againe and fetch the woolfe , and bring the lambe back again on the other side , and then take the bottle of hay and carry it , and then fetch ouer the lambe , and so the question is assoyled .

The 73. Riddle . There were two fathers a hunting went , And their two sonues for the same intent . They caught conies in all but thrée : And euery one had one , how may that be ?

Solution .

One of the sonnes , had a sonne , thus hée is father , and standeth both for the father and the sonne .

The 74. Riddle .

I consume my mother that bare me , I eate my nurse that fedde mee , then I die leauing them all blind that saw me .

Solution .

Meant of the flame of a candle , which when it hath consumed both wax & wéek goeth out , leauing them in the darke which saw by it .

The 75. Riddle .

As long as I liue , I eate , but when I drinke I die .

Solution .

That is the fire , which continueth so long as it hath matter to burne vpon , except it be quenched with water , which may be termed the death of that nature .

The 76. Riddle . Ten thousand children beautifull of this my body bred : Both sonnes and daughters finely deckt , I liue and they are dead : My sonnes were put to extreame death . by such as loued them well : My daughters died in extreame age , but where I cannot tell .

Solution .

That is a trée , which signifieth the mother , the fruite the sonnes , and the leaues the daughters .

¶ John Goose . LOng time since , when men eat butterd peason with a spoone , I had a man vnto my father , borne vnder the moone . His name was Tom Goose , this is true indeede , When he could liue no longer he fell sicke and dyed . And within foure dayes after , when he was layd in graue , My mother would needes another husband haue . The more husbands the better lucke , some wiues do say the same , And then married she one , Dick Duck was by his name . A widdoer he was , and had a daughter called Ione , She was a merry one , and a minion minser alone : She was my sister and I was her brother , By law it was so , it could be none other . And my mother did loue him as the turtle Doue . Yet at length my father died for loue . Then said my mother , though I haue two husbands wed , I must liue dy the quicke ( quoth she ) and not by the dead . Yet was she tough and toothlesse , short tale to make , And married the third husband , called Iohn Drake . He loued her right well , and had his owne wishing , For within ten dayes he killed her with kissing . Then would he haue a yong woman to lengthen his life , And fell in with my sister Ione , and tooke her to wife . After that I could not chuse , though before I was her brother , But iustly as became me , I called her mother . At length he was sealous , and she perceiud his blindnesse , Where vpon within a few dayes she killed him with kindnesse After he was dead , then did my mother Duck , Take me to her husband , me thought I had strange luck . Because first she was my sister Ione , and I , Iohn her brother , And after Iohn her sonne , and she Ione my mother ; Now am I Iohn her husband , and she Ione my wife , We Iohn Goose and Ione Duck , together must lead our life , ¶ Now if you haue well marked , Vnto you I haue tolde ; How this demand is true , Therefore you may be bold .

Proper Questions .

The first Question . I Bought thrée penny-worth of Egs lately , and for euery penny had like many : And after gaue them in almes a none vnto thrée Beggars euery each one , Some to the Beggar that asked my first , the second had twice so many iust : The third Beggar that there I found , had twice as many as the second . Now answere me to this question shortly , how many Egges had I for a penny ? And how many Egges after the rate , that euery Beggar had for his part ?

Solution .

I bought seuen Egges for euery penny , & the first Beggar had thrée Egges , the second six Egs , & the third beggar had twelue Egs.

The second Question . Two men that had in their purses mony , the one to the other thus can say : Put one of thy pence of thy purse in mine , then is in my purse as much as in thine , Nay said the other , I pray thee do thus , put one of thy pence into my purse , Then haue I double as much as thou : What was in both their purses say ye ?

Solution .

The one of them had fiue pence in his purse & the other had seuen pence in his purse , and so the question is assoyled . But if yee make the question , take alwayes two pence , then the numbers must be ten , & xiiii . of iii d. xv . & one and twentie , and so alway procéed forth .

The third Question . A Fisher an hundred of herrings did buy , after the rate of two for a penny : And bought an hundred in another place , three for a penny neither more nor lesse : He put them together , and sold anone , still fiue for two pence till all were gone : Now in that bargaine I thinke that he , Eyther woon or lost , How say you :

Solution .

Account euer sixescore to the hundred , and reckon then , and ye shall finde that hee hath lost thereby , euen foure pence .

The fourth Question . ANother question I would faine define , I wedded thy mother , & thou weddedst mine : By my wife I had a son soone after , & thou vpon thy wife begattest a daughter . This question now tame would I know of thee What kin together these Children be .

Solution .

The Sonne was Vncle to the Daughter , because that her brother was his Father : also , the Daughter was Aunt to the Sonne , because her brother was his Father .

The fifth Question . I Knew a maide that once did pray , a man to lend her some money , Which swore by God , and by Saint Iohn , that to that maide he would lend none : Yet for all that , ere that he went thence , he saued his oth , & lent her twelue pence .

Solution .

This man lay with the maide first , and so she lost her maiden-head : and afterwards he lent her twelue pence .

The sixth Question . A Batcheler came a mans wife vntill , praying her his carnall lust to fulfill : She sware a great oath as touching that sin . She would neuer offend with him therein . She kept her oath so vndefilde , that soone after he got her with childe .

Solution .

The wiues husband dyed first , and after that , the Batcheler married her lawfully , and with her then he had carnall copulation .

The seuenth Question : I Knew a man which in his life , begat a childe vpon his owne wife , And when it was born , his heart was done , he looked vpon it , it was not his Sonne : Of this now tell me the true solution .

Solution .

The child that he begot vpon his wife was a daughter .

The eight Question . A Man would haue slaine his son hastily , But one counselled him the contrary : To slay thy sonne it is well done , to dread and feare nothing : For such a deed thou shalt haue meede of Christ our heauenly King .

The ninth Question . A Payre of Gloues a man once bought , and them to thrée sisters brought , And said , Cast lots , for some of you thrée , shall weare these Gloues for loue of me . How might his saying be verified there , Yet none of them all did them weare ?

Solution .

The one of the Sisters ware the one gloue , and one of the other Sisters ware the other .

The tenth Question . A Soldier that to black-heath field went , praied an Astronomer of his iudgement : Which wrote these word to him plainely , thou shalt goe thither well and safely : And from thence come whom aliue againe , neuer at that field shalt thou be slaine . The souldier was slaine there at that field , And yet the Astronomer his promise held .

Solution .

The poynting of the words , is the solution , as thus : Thou shalt go thither wel and safely , and from thence come home againe a-liue neuer : at that field shalt thou be slaine .

The eleuenth Question IN Essex I know a place right well , where men buy Oysters by the Bushell : For euery Bushell foure pence they pay , and yet for all that , the buyers may For two pence a Bushell sell them againe , all by one measure , and yet haue good gain .

Solution .

They buy these Oysters when they be very small , and kéepe them in créekes of the salt water a yeere or two , till they be great , and then one Bushell will make sire Bushels .

The twelfth Question . I Know a childe borne by my mother , Naturally borne as other children be : That is neither my sister , nor my brother : answere me shortly what is he ?

Solution .

It is the person that speaketh the word : for he is neither brother nor sister to himselfe .

The thirteenth Question . A Vessell of wine here standeth me by , of eight gallons iust full by the eye : An other of fiue gallons , an other of three : but those twaine both empty be , Mete by three gallons of this wine truly , and thereto none other vessell to occupy .

Solution .

First fill the fiue gallon vessel full , & then with that fill the thrée gallon vessell full then , and there remaineth in the fifth gallon vessel two gallons : then put the thrée gallons that bee in the thrée gallon vessell , into the eight gallon vessell , into the fiue gallon vessell , and then fill vp the 3. gallon vessell , with the fiue gallon vessell , and it will receiue but one gallon thereof , because there was in the thrée gallon vessell before , but two gallons , and so there will remaine in the fiue gallon vessell , iust foure gallons , and then you haue your purpose : that is to say , foure gallons mete truely by those thrée measures onely .

The fourteenth Question . A Fish was late taken others among , which had a head of thrée foot long : And the taile was as long truely , as the head and halfe the body : And yet was the body without faile , as long as the head and the taile . This question heere I pray thée tell , How long was the Fish heere euery deale .

Solution .

The taile of the Fish was nine foot long , and the body , was twelue foot long : and because the head was thrée foot long , therefore the length of the whole Fish was fourtéene foot long , and so the question is assoyled .

The fifteenth Question . A Widdow with her horse and maide at Douer , Prayd a Shipman into Fraunce to bring them ouer : He swore that neither widow , horse , nor maide , Should into Francr for him be conuaide . How might his oth there saued be , Yet hee brought them into Fraunce in his Ship all thrée .

Solution .

The widow was marryed , the mayde lost her mayden-head , and the horse was gelded : and then the Syip man carried them all ouer together in his Ship , and so saued his oath which he had taken before .

The sixteenth Question . ONe saide , God spéed dame with the Geese twentie , Nay six , said she , I haue not so many : But if that I had as many mo as I haue , and halfe as many thereto , And ouer that halfe , halfe as many , and two Geese & a half , then had I twenty . How many Géese had she now truely ?

Choice and wittie Prouerbs . 1 SO great is the ill that doth not hurt mee , as is the good that doth not help mee . 2 Hee that for the new , leaueth the olde way , oftentimes is found to goe astray . 3 Giuen is dead : and restored is nought . 4 Conceale not the truth from the Physician and Laywer . 5 A young Barber and an olde Physician . 6 To looke for and not to come : To bee in bed , and not asléepe : To serue and not to be accepted , are thrée tedious things . 7 He that will not indure labour in this world , let him not be borne . 8 There is no vertue that pouertie destroyeth not . 9 The abundance of things ingendreth disdainefulnesse . 10 He that sitteth well , thinketh ill . 11 The mirth of the world dureth but a while . 12 He that vseth mee better then hee is wont , hath betrayed me , or will betray me . 13 He that doth not that whith he ought , that haps to him which he neuer thought . 14 He that hath time , hath life . 15 Al weapons of war cannot arme fear . 16 He helpes little , that helpes not himselfe . 17 So much is mine , as I possesse ; and , giue or lose for for Gods sake . 18 Chuse not a woman , nor linnen cloth by the candle . 19 Kinsman helpes kinsman : but woe be to him that hath nothing . 20 Honours alter Manners . 21 Hee knoweth enough that knoweth nought , if hee knoweth how to holde his peace . 22 A man assaulted is halfe taken . 23 Hee that is wise in his owne eyes , there is more hope of a foole than such a one . 24 Old sinne , new repentance . 25 Sin that is hidden , is halfe forgiuen . 26 An ounce of state , requires a pound of gold . 27 He that liues well , dies well . 28 Hee that iudures hir ; ouercommeth her . 29 Fly that present pleasure , which paines thee after wards . 30 Euery extreamitie is a fault . 31 Euery question requireth not answere . 32 Patience is sorrowes remedy . 33 Conscience serues for a thousand witnesses . 34 Nature is the true law . 35 All feare is bondage . 36 Things present are iudged by things past . 37 That is well done , which is done soone inough . 38 There is a remedy for all dolors , sauing for death . 39 The Law groweth of sinne , and chastiseth it . 40 The like I say , sits with the Iay. 41 Birds of a feather flée together . 42 One man is worth a hundred , and a hundred are not worth one . 43 A wise man ought not to be ashamed to change his purpose . 44 Maruell is the daughter of Ignorance . 45 The deeds are manly , and the words womanly . 46 The more that riches is honoured , she more is vertue despised . 47 Time is the father of Truth , and experience is the mother of Science . 48 Hee that soweth vertue , reapeth same . 49 Betimes in the Fishambles , and late in the Butchery . 50 To a good vnderstander , halfe a word is enough . 51 Flies goe to leane horses . 52 Hee that hath the world at will seemeth wife . 53 Prouide a Figge for thy friend ; and a Peach for thy enemy . 54 The harts mirth , makes the face faire . 55 At mariages and burials , friends and kinsfolkes be knowne . 56 A dradly disease neither Physician nor physicke can ease . 57 The loue of a harlot , and wine of a flagon , is good in the morning , and naught in the euening . 58 An Asse pricked must needs trot . 59 Hee daunceth well enough , to whom fortune pipeth . 60 Hee gaineth enough , whom fortune loseth . 61 A dead Bée maketh no hony . 62 By one , and one , the spindles are made vp . 63 Faire words , and wicked déedes , de … ine wise men and fooles . 64 Ill goes the Boat without Oares . 65 An old band , is a Captaines honour . 66 A Barking dog sildome bites . 67 An old dog barkes not in vaine . 68 A running horse ; an open graue . 69 A faire shop and little gaine . 70 He that buyeth deere , and taketh vpon credit , shall euer sell to his losse . 71 A fire of straw yéeldes naught but smoake . 72 Hee that hunts two Hares , loseth both . 73 Hee that is in pouertie , is in suspicion . 74 Hee that hath a good Speare , let him trie him . 75 Hee that doeth nothing , doeth euer amisse . 76 Hee that doth amisse , may doe well . 77 He that doth ill hateth the light . 78 He that hath no heart , hath legges . 79 He that hath no wise beateth her often 80 He that hath no children , doth bring them vp well . 81 Hee that hath not serued , knoweth not how to command . 82 He that cannot beate the horse , beate●● the saddle . 83 He that doth not robbe , makes 〈◊〉 roabe or a gowne . 84 He that hurts another , hurts himselfe . 85 A common seruant , is no mans seruant . 86 Hee that serues harlots , a is slaue to sinne . 87 He that will haue all , loses hall . 88 He that goes to bed with dogs , arise with fleas . 89 He that goes to bed without his supper , is out of quiet all night . 90 Hee that goes and comes makes a good voyage . 91 Hee that liues in Court , dies vpon straw . 92 Speake no ill of another , till thou thinkest of thy selfe . 93 One crow neuer puls out anothers eyes . 94 From word to deed is a great spce . 95 Folly is wise in her owne eyes . 96 Hard with hard neuer made good wall . 97 Faire speech subdueth anger . 98 It is a goodly thing to take two Pigeons with one Beane . 99 Faire gayning , makes faire spen●●●g . 100 Mischiefe comes by pounds , and goes away by ounces . 101 Marriners craft is the grossest , yet of handy crafts the subtillest . 102 He whose belly is full , bel●eues not him that is fasting . 103 The Peach will haue wine , the Fig water . 104 Fish marreth the water , and flesh amends it . 105 He promises mountaines , and performes mole-hils . 106 Promising is the vigil of giuing . 107 More then enough breakes the Couer . 108 Sparing is the first gaining . 109 Wine by the sauour , bread by the colour . 110 Experience is somtimes dangerous . 111 Make mee a diuinour , and I will make thee rich . 112 Friars obseruants spare their one , ●●d eate other mens . 113 A gloued cat can catch no mice . 114 A broken bagge can hold no meal● 115 It thou wilt come with me , br … with thee . 116 Offices may well be giuen , br●●● discretion . 117 Suffer the ill , and looke for the go●● 118 In the world their Bee men that w … haue the egge , and the hen . 119 Aboue God there is no Lord . 120 Aboue blacke there is no colour , and aboue salt their is no fauour . 121 If it were not for hope the heart would breake . 122 Cut off a dogs taile , hee will bee a dogge still . 123 Naught is that Muse that findes no excuse . 124 Nought are those houses where the Hen crowes , and the Cock holds his peace . 125 He is in ill case that giues example to another . 126 Too much hope deceiueth . 127 All draw water to their own mill . 〈…〉