THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx
 
 At the 
 
 Sign of the SPHINX 
 
 A BOOK OF CHARADES 
 
 By CAROLYN WELLS 
 
 "I'll put another question to thee; if thou 
 answerest not to the purpose, confess thyself — " 
 
 Hamlet, v. i. 
 
 NEW YORK, Published by 
 STONE AND KIMBALL 
 in the year M DCCC XCVI
 
 Copyright, 1896, by 
 Stone and Kimball
 
 
 To 
 
 Dr. WILLIAM J. ROLFE, 
 
 ^^The dearest friend to me, the kindest man. 
 The best-condition' d and univearied spirit 
 In doing courtesies.'"'' 
 
 THIS BOOK IS DEDICATE. 

 
 PROOFS. 
 
 The figures indicate the number of letters in 
 each syllable of the answer, as the word is divided 
 in Webster's Dictionary ; but not necessarily as it 
 is divided in the Charade. 
 
 . 4,4 
 . 3,4 
 . 3,3 
 . 4,2 
 3,2,4 
 . 4,4 
 
 1 . . . . 
 
 2 . . . . 
 
 3 . . . . 
 
 4 . . . . 
 
 5 . . . . 
 
 6 . . . . 
 
 7 3,2,3 
 
 8 . . . . 2,4,1,4 
 
 9 3, 5 
 
 10 3, 3 
 
 11 2,4 
 
 12 2, 5 
 
 13 2,3 
 
 14 4, 4 
 
 15 3,3 
 
 16 5, 5 
 
 17 3, 5 
 
 18 5,4 
 
 19 4, 4 
 
 20 4, 4 
 
 21 3, 3 
 
 22 3,4 
 
 23 
 
 24 
 
 25 
 
 26 
 
 27 
 
 28 
 
 29 
 
 30 
 
 31 
 
 32 
 
 33 
 
 34 
 
 35 
 
 36 
 
 37 
 
 38 
 
 39 
 
 40 
 
 41 
 
 42 
 
 43 
 
 44 
 
 . 4,3 
 . 4,4 
 . 4,6 
 . 5,4 
 . 4,3 
 . 4,5 
 . 5,5 
 . 4,3 
 . 2,4 
 . 4,3 
 . 4,4 
 . 3,4 
 . 4,2 
 3,2,3 
 . 3,4 
 . 4,4 
 . 4, 5 
 . 3,4 
 . 4,2 
 . 2,3 
 . 3,4 
 . 4,3
 
 VIU 
 
 Proofs. 
 
 45 5,3 
 
 46 4,4 
 
 47 2,4 
 
 48 2, 3 
 
 49 2, 3 
 
 50 4,2 
 
 51 3,3 
 
 52 2,2,3 
 
 53 4,4 
 
 54 4,4 
 
 55 3,2 
 
 56 3,4 
 
 57 4,5 
 
 58 4,5 
 
 59 3,4 
 
 60 5,4 
 
 61 5,4 
 
 62 2, 5 
 
 63 3,4 
 
 64 6, 4 
 
 65 5,3 
 
 66 . . . < . 4, 3, 5 
 
 67 3,3,4 
 
 68 2,2,3 
 
 69 4,4 
 
 70 4, 4 
 
 71 3,3,4 
 
 72 3, 3 
 
 73 4,3 
 
 74 2, 4 
 
 75 3, 5 
 
 76 4, 3 
 
 77 3,4 
 
 78 5,4 
 
 79 4, 5 
 
 80 2, 4 
 
 81 2, 2 
 
 82 5, 4 
 
 83 2, 4 
 
 84 ...... 2, 5 
 
 85 3, 5 
 
 86 4, 4 
 
 87 4, 5 
 
 88 4, 2, 3 
 
 89 4, 4 
 
 90 5, 3 
 
 91 3, 4 
 
 92 5, 4 
 
 93 3,3 
 
 94 4, 4 
 
 95 3, 4 
 
 96 3,4 
 
 97 4, 4 
 
 98 1, 4 
 
 99 5,5
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. i 
 
 I 
 
 Y first, what power and might are 
 
 thine I 
 Sometimes I think thou art divine; 
 Titled and great ! we often see 
 A shrinking culprit brought to thee. 
 
 My second, fond of fruit and flowers. 
 Thou lovest to bide in leafy bowers ; 
 Yet, heeding not the solemn gloom. 
 Thou visitest the hero's tomb. 
 
 My whole, though by my whole accursed. 
 Each day buys and devours my first.
 
 A Book of Charades. 
 2 
 
 THE sunset's golden glowing 
 Fades from the Western skies ; 
 In dreamy silence, rowing, 
 I watch my first arise. 
 
 The mystic shadows, stealing. 
 Bring thrills I dare not name ; 
 
 I tremble slightly, feeling 
 
 My last through all my frame. 
 
 My oars I swiftly feather : 
 It is my whole, these nights 
 
 Of cool September weather. 
 To seek my boat's delights.
 
 I 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 3 
 
 3 
 
 N tropic trees the agile apes my first from 
 
 limb to limb ; 
 And ancient history says my second's head 
 
 was made to swim ; 
 And for the culminating point, my whole's a 
 
 synonym.
 
 w 
 
 A Book of Charades, 
 
 4 
 
 HEN the golden day is waking. 
 And night's shadows are dispersed. 
 
 Then the lark, the silence breaking, 
 Sweedy warbles forth my first. 
 
 Many a shining fate we Ve beckoned. 
 
 Failing often, hoping still 
 That my second and my second 
 
 Our desires we may fulfil. 
 
 I Total is a book. We find it 
 Just a little past its prime ; 
 And departing leaves behind it 
 
 Footprints on the sands of time. |
 
 T 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 5 
 
 5 
 
 HERE was a sound of revelry by night. 
 And stealthily my first came to my 
 
 whole 
 Upon my third. The moon was shining 
 
 bright. 
 And others came. Their voices stirred 
 
 my soul. 
 No sleep till morn ! Unless with missile 
 
 fleet 
 I chase my first away with flying feet. 
 Though to my second in my aim I 
 
 feared. 
 After a few attempts they disappeared.
 
 u 
 
 A Book of Charades. 
 6 
 
 P from the South at break of day 
 
 My first arrived in early May, 
 
 And through the towns and cities passed. 
 
 Heralded by a trumpet blast. 
 
 Up from the South my total came. 
 Up from the land of flowery fame ; 
 And reached my second's sheltering care. 
 After a voyage long and fair.
 
 w 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 
 
 ITHIN my hammock, alone and lazy. 
 Through smoke-wreaths hazy I see 
 my friend ; 
 In calm contentment at home abiding, 
 I watch him striding around the bend. 
 
 Across the meadow among the thistles 
 He sings and whistles in careless glee; 
 He does not heed me, I know he 's 
 going 
 Where streams are flowing to one, 
 two, three. 
 
 I give my mind up to idle fancies. 
 Such as a man sees in sunny Spain, 
 
 A half-forgotten pastime in Seville, 
 A pictured revel forms in my brain. 
 
 A Spanish maid decked with scarlet 
 roses. 
 Whose swaying poses delight like 
 
 rhyme 
 Dainty and graceful, her bright eyes 
 glancing 
 While to her dancing my whole 
 keeps time.
 
 8 A Book of Charades. 
 
 8 
 
 THE empty shell is always worthless named 
 After my first's outcast ; 
 A contract often is my next proclaimed 
 
 After a time has passed ; 
 "God bless us every one!" my third 
 exclaimed. 
 After he did my last. 
 When you have guessed the total word> 
 You will declare it is my third.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 
 
 Y first's a term in golfing, though in 
 
 that I 'm not much versed ; 
 My first is in my second, when my 
 
 second 's in my first. 
 And when my whole is in my first, 
 
 my first is in my whole. 
 And when my first is in my last, we 
 
 quaff its flowing bowl.
 
 10 A Book of Charades. 
 
 10 
 
 T 
 
 HERE was once a merry maiden, a 
 bewitching, gay brunette; 
 In the art of breaking hearts she was 
 well versed ; 
 And she flirted and coquetted with every 
 man she met. 
 Until everybody said it was my first. 
 
 When the lovers flocked around her, and 
 sought her smiles to win. 
 And at her dainty feet their fortunes 
 cast. 
 She flouted them, and scouted them, to 
 their intense chagrin. 
 While heartlessly she chuckled in my 
 last. 
 
 But one by one her suitors grew impatient 
 of her ways. 
 And one by one escaped from her 
 control ; 
 Until none of her devoted slaves remained, 
 and all her days 
 The lonely little maiden lived my whole.
 
 o 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 1 1 
 
 II 
 
 FTEN with dread and horror seen. 
 Although sometimes proclaimed a queen. 
 My first with no intent of ill 
 Began the battle of Bunker Hill. 
 
 My second is a growing thing. 
 We welcome it anew each spring ; 
 'T is eaten gladly by the cow, 
 I think you 're looking at it now. 
 
 The differing creeds, it seems to me. 
 On this one point will all agree : 
 That he who wants to save his soul 
 Must honestly profess my whole.
 
 12 A Book of Charades. 
 
 12 
 
 s 
 
 WEET Priscilk at my side, 
 Gayly o'er the waves we ride. 
 As we banter on the yacht. 
 She is happy, I am not ; 
 For beneath my first, her eyes 
 Frown and smile and tantalize. 
 Though she rules my very soul. 
 She is governed by my whole. 
 If she'd only marry me. 
 How contented I would be ; 
 If I heard our wedding-bell. 
 If my second on us fell, 
 Gayly then away I 'd ride 
 Sweet Friscilla at my side.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 13 
 
 Y first was set before a king ; 
 
 My second is a piece of ground ; 
 When I my ship to land would bring 
 
 I like to have my whole around.
 
 14 A Book of Charades. 
 
 o 
 
 N either side the river lie 
 Long fields of barley and of rye ; 
 My first blows free beneath the sky. 
 And through the field the road runs by 
 To many-towered Camelot. 
 
 There she weaves by night and day 
 A magic web of colors gay; 
 She dare not from my second stray. 
 The Lady of Shalott. 
 
 The gemmy bridle glittered free. 
 Like to some branch of stars we see ; 
 Perhaps it was my whole to thee, 
 O bold Sir Lancelot!
 
 I 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 15 
 
 15 
 
 AM my whole. I have been married twice. 
 My first wife was my second long before 
 My second wife became my first. And 
 more, 
 
 I was my whole to each. Let that suffice.
 
 1 6 J Book of Charades. 
 
 i6 
 
 Y 
 
 OU see my first when you behold 
 The jester's broadly grinning face. 
 
 Proud of his skill, the huntsman bold 
 Brings home my second from the chase. 
 
 Although my whole is cheap and mean, 
 
 I would not change with king or queen.
 
 F 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 1 7 
 
 17 
 
 IRST in my first was Washington ; 
 
 No foe against him could prevail. 
 My second always is around. 
 
 But yet it keeps outside the pale. 
 My whole the Western pioneers 
 Shuddering heard with grewsome fears.
 
 1 8 A Book of Charades. 
 
 i8 
 
 M 
 
 Y first, of thee the poets sing. 
 And notes ol praise to thee they bring ; 
 Though dark, yet fair thou 'rt said to be. 
 And many prayers ascend to thee. 
 
 My second, beautiful but shy. 
 Thou wilt with me this evening fly ; 
 With cushioned cab, and thee beside, 
 Methinks I could forever ride. 
 
 My whole ! what horrors dread are thine. 
 What fiendish tortures, deeds malign. 
 What ghastly terrors ! yet from thee, 
 A word will set thy victims free.
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 19 
 
 19 
 
 E 
 
 VEN in this enlightened day 
 Many a woman's first, they say. 
 
 Beneath the yoke is seen ; 
 The yoke is of my second made ; 
 My heavy whole upon it laid 
 
 Gleams with metallic sheen.
 
 20 A Book of Charades. 
 
 20 
 
 UNDER the shimmering starbeams bright, 
 Gayly I rambled with Rosalie 
 In grandmother's garden that summer 
 night. 
 
 With her eyes so blue, with her skin so 
 white. 
 With my first so red, she was fair to see. 
 Under the shimmering starbeams bright. 
 
 The mischievous moon shone with silver 
 
 light 
 As the maiden coquettishly smiled at me 
 In grandmother's garden that summer 
 
 night. 
 
 Of all the village, she had the right 
 
 To be called my second, I thought 
 with glee. 
 Under the shimmering starbeams bright. 
 
 I plucked my total, so small and slight. 
 
 And gave it to her as we wandered free 
 In grandmother's garden that summer 
 night.
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 21 
 
 I was caught in her toils, the merry sprite ! 
 I told her I loved her, on bended knee. 
 Under the shimmering starbeams bright. 
 In grandmother's garden that summer 
 night.
 
 22 A Book of Charades. 
 
 21 
 
 A 
 
 CAT up out of the cellar stole. 
 And cautiously crept into my whole. 
 She thought, " I '11 last to reach that first. 
 So I can quench my awful thirst." 
 But the cook came in, and screamed out 
 
 " Scat ! " 
 And out of my whole she cleared that cat.
 
 w 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 23 
 
 22 
 
 ORSE than the wise men who sailed 
 
 in a bowl, 
 A man in my first went over my 
 whole ; 
 And when he was found. 
 He was picked up, half drowned. 
 By my last which was sent out to bring 
 him aground.
 
 24 -^ ^ook of Charades. 
 
 W 
 
 HEN you have guessed my first, 
 
 you '11 see 
 How very dear it is to me ; 
 
 With feathers soft and white and 
 
 fair 
 It flutters in the evening air. 
 Marvel of grace and symmetry. 
 
 Jefferson, Edison, Hood, all three. 
 My second were well known to be ; 
 You '11 understand this, I declare. 
 When you have guessed. 
 
 My whole is always said to flee 
 When shining day breaks o'er the lea ; 
 Its hollow laugh we '11 gladly spare. 
 And gladly miss its ghostly glare ; 
 To this I 'm sure you will agree 
 When you have guessed.
 
 H 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 25 
 
 24 
 
 OW very clever he is reckoned 
 Who hits my first upon my second ; 
 And of all fools, he's deemed the vi^orst 
 Who hits my second on my first ; 
 My whole was used to decorate 
 A Norman or a Gothic gate.
 
 26 A Book of Charades. 
 
 WE listened breathless, not a person 
 stirred ; 
 The beating of my first we plainly 
 
 heard. 
 In life we often cross my last, when 
 
 dry. 
 But cross it wet when we are called 
 
 to die. 
 My whole will drive the neighbors 
 
 nearly wild ; 
 It fell to my share when I was a 
 
 child.
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 27 
 
 26 
 
 MY first complains, "My hour is almost 
 come 
 When I to sulphurous and tormenting 
 
 flames 
 Must render up myself. ' ' 
 
 But from such fate 
 My last is safe. 
 
 And though within the dark 
 And awful gloom of night I grope my 
 
 way 
 To find my whole, when I have reached 
 
 it, lo! 
 A sudden light illumines all the place.
 
 28 A Book of Charades. 
 
 27 
 
 A 
 
 S my first trotted past. 
 
 My second arose ; 
 For my total, aghast. 
 As my first trotted past. 
 Was discourteously cast 
 
 On his poor little nose ; 
 As my first trotted past. 
 
 My second arose.
 
 L 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 29 
 
 28 
 
 ONG in my first hath Czesar lain, 
 'And by my last a giant was slain. 
 My whole, with cold and silent ways. 
 Of grave demeanor, pithy phrase. 
 Yet given to flattery and praise.
 
 30 A Book of Charades. 
 
 B 
 
 29 
 
 E NEATH the sharp axe Queen Mary « 
 
 knelt. 
 And often its blows my first has dealt 
 To kings and queens and chickens. 
 
 The hour for my whole to each must 
 
 come. 
 My first of my second is thought by some 
 The finest work of Dickens.
 
 w 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 31 
 
 30 
 
 HENEVER I take my walks abroad, 
 
 How many poor I see ; 
 Down in my first an awful fraud 
 
 This morning begged of me. 
 Each place I visited, revealed 
 
 Suffering and distress ; 
 I wandered homeward through a field. 
 
 My last clung to my dress. 
 
 Under thy influence, my whole. 
 
 Beneath thy absolute control. 
 
 Men cannot speak or sing or walk. 
 
 Or if they move around or talk. 
 
 By no volition of their own 
 
 They do it. But thy sway o*er- 
 
 thrown. 
 Then they resume their smiles and 
 
 tears. 
 Their joys and sorrows, hopes and 
 
 fears.
 
 32 A Book of Charades. 
 
 31 
 
 B 
 
 ENEATH my first a Cardinal dwelt. 
 And though unseen it may still be felt ; 
 The destroying angel o'er Israel passed. 
 When on their doorposts the blood was 
 
 my last. 
 My whole its well-deserved punishment 
 
 wins ; 
 It is one of the deadliest of sins.
 
 w 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 33 
 
 32 
 
 HEN vows are made and troth is 
 
 plighted, 
 'T is then we see my first united ; 
 My second, aye, and many such 
 Have known the handcuff's iron 
 
 clutch ; 
 
 My whole's a busy travelling man ; 
 He 's been to China and Japan, 
 To Zanzibar and Timbuctoo, 
 To Paris, Pekin, and Peru.
 
 34 -^ Book of Charades. 
 
 33 
 
 M 
 
 Y firsts men traverse land and sea. 
 In an untiring search for thee ; 
 Yet thou art found in many boats. 
 From thee our flag in triumph floats. 
 
 Thee, my last, men will often thank, 
 A kind offish, a badge of rank ; 
 An actor who plays well his part. 
 Yet many wonder what thou art. 
 
 Far from their firesides and their wives. 
 My whole saved many sailors' lives. 
 Guided them safely, homeward bound ; 
 In a bear's tail it may be found.
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 35 
 
 34 
 
 WHO first my last till they the bounds 
 exceed. 
 Of my whole soon will surely stand in 
 need.
 
 36 A Book of Charades, 
 
 35 
 
 M 
 
 Y gay-colored first is a bower 
 
 Which is spoiled if it 's out in a shower ; 
 
 The heathen Chinee 
 
 Was quick-witted to see 
 That it wields a remarkable power. 
 
 My last at Thermopylae fell. 
 For my last must be rung the death- 
 Icnell ; 
 
 From fears that molest. 
 
 My mind is at rest. 
 When my last they assure me is well. 
 
 My whole is a horrible beast 
 
 Which is found in the wilds of the East 
 
 By Mr. Linnasus, 
 
 Named Canis Aureus ; 
 It is fond of the lately deceased.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 37 
 
 36 
 
 Y first is part of a whizzing wheel ; 't is 
 
 made of iron or wood. 
 Of my second oft in fairy-tales we 've 
 
 heard ; 
 He lives in darlcsome forests, and he 
 
 wears a pointed hood. 
 And the capital of Nevada is my third. 
 My whole a Roman family once could 
 
 claim. 
 But now, alas ! it 's nothing but a name.
 
 38 A Book of Charades. 
 
 37 
 
 I 
 
 N a fair peach of glowing hue 
 My first is oft concealed from view ; 
 My second, purple grapes supplies. 
 Cider and nuts and pumpkin-pies ; 
 My total is a trap or snare 
 To catch the traveller unaware.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 39 
 
 38 
 
 Y dainty first, I saw thee as I strayed 
 This morning by the brook. At dinner 
 
 now 
 Across the table, neatly washed and 
 
 dressed. 
 Fresh and piquant, I see thee once 
 
 again. 
 My second, as I gaze upon thy face 
 And note thy wreath of laurel and thy 
 
 shield, 
 I marvel not that thou hast mighty 
 
 power. 
 That thou art sought and cherished. By 
 
 thine aid 
 Churches are raised, houses and factories 
 
 built. 
 And many mills are thine. What won- 
 der, then. 
 We work for thee ? Thou art one sent 
 
 to us. 
 My whole, the pride and glory of the 
 
 Turks, 
 I watch thy graceful curves, and I 
 
 admire
 
 40 A Book of Charades. 
 
 Thy slender form. When thou art 
 
 older grown, 
 'Twill be more full and round. And 
 
 then thou 'It smile 
 Upon me from afar.
 
 H 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 41 
 
 39 
 
 O! fill your glass to comrades gay. 
 Let song and laughter burst ; 
 
 Then fill your glass to those away. 
 And fill it to my first. 
 
 Go bring a jug of my second up. 
 Bring flagons of rare old wine. 
 
 And fetch the cherished loving-cup ; 
 We'll drink to mine and thine. 
 
 Now, who to mix this draught is skilled ? 
 
 We want no bitter bowl 
 Like that which Dickens said was filled 
 
 With treacle and my whole.
 
 42 A Book of Charades. 
 
 40 
 
 M 
 
 Y first we make, but never wish to keep ; 
 My second has some silent letters 
 through it ; 
 My whole, they say, is near us when 
 we sleep, 
 And I was much attached, in child- 
 hood, to it.
 
 o 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 43 
 
 41 
 
 NE summer night, 
 'Neath the pale moonlight 
 
 O'er the crested waves we sped ; 
 As on declc I lay, 
 I watched the spray 
 
 And my starry first o'erhead. 
 Mv last I've heard. 
 Was the latest word 
 
 That Marmion ever said 5 
 The flowing bowl 
 They filled from my whole 
 
 And the wine was rich and red.
 
 44 ^ Book of Charades. 
 
 42 
 
 o 
 
 N a sickly bush my first flowers bloomed ; 
 My second many has entombed ; 
 few see my whole until consumed.
 
 T 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 45 
 
 43 
 
 HE office-seeker's attitude is arrogant and 
 
 proud. 
 His mien is very haughty, and his voice 
 
 is very loud ; 
 He'll bow to no man's orders, by none 
 
 he '11 be coerced. 
 Yet he always is delighted when he's 
 
 asked to serve my first. 
 
 His mind is ever working out his ava- 
 ricious dreams ; 
 He burns my midnight second while he 
 
 plans his wily schemes ; 
 He devotes himself, untiring, his ambitions 
 
 to attain. 
 And he throws himself with fervor in my 
 
 whole of the campaign.
 
 46 A Book of Charades. 
 
 44 
 
 M 
 
 Y first is rippled by each passing breeze. 
 It spreads its watery wastes from pole to 
 
 pole. 
 My next, a Greek philosopher's abode ; 
 For years he lived there happily. My 
 
 whole — 
 Ay, there's the rub! — sits proudly on 
 
 the bench. 
 And causes its constituents to blench.
 
 Jt the Sign of the Sphinx. 47 
 
 45 
 
 D 
 
 EMURE, modest, and meek. 
 
 In my whole she rode by. 
 With my first on her cheek. 
 
 And a smile in her eye. 
 And when she had passed, 
 
 I said, " She 's a dear. 
 And her critic my last 
 
 To say she is queer."
 
 48 A Book of Charades. 
 
 46 
 
 T 
 
 HE farmhouse stood by the flowery lane, 
 Down in the meadow the cows were 
 lowing ; 
 
 A soft breeze stirred the golden grain. 
 And a pretty maid to my first was going. 
 
 A rustic swain came by that way, 
 
 (She looked so winning, who could 
 resist her ?) 
 She blushed like any rose in May, 
 
 And turned my second when he kissed 
 her. 
 
 But as she took her homeward path. 
 Her anger rose toward her daring lover ; 
 
 While she trembled in her righteous wrath 
 From my whole the drops were brim- 
 ming over.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 49 
 
 47 
 
 Y feathered first to merry tune 
 
 Skims lightly o'er the blue lagoon ; 
 Though in another shape 't is found 
 In darksome caverns under ground. 
 
 A doting mother named her son 
 Gustave Orlando Algernon ; 
 
 And then she was extremely vexed 
 To hear the boys call him my next. 
 
 My whole is very high and rare. 
 It lives suspended in the air ; 
 
 In shape and color 't will outvie 
 The most resplendent butterfly.
 
 5© A Book of Charades. 
 
 48 
 
 M 
 
 Y first we hear with groans ; 
 
 My second is a bird ; 
 My whole's seductive tones 
 Wandering Ulysses heard.
 
 o 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 5 1 
 
 49 
 
 F traitors Arnold was the worst. 
 
 Yet Englishmen call him my first. 
 
 My second comes to all good men 
 
 Who reach their threescore years and ten. 
 
 My whole was by a heathen horde 
 Exalted, worshipped, feared, adored ; 
 But fell to earth, and perished, prone, 
 By Hebrew courage overthrown.
 
 52 A Book of Charades. 
 
 50 
 
 M 
 
 Y sainted first we all adore when young ; 
 But when my first is old, we fear his 
 malice. 
 
 My last 's a liquid pleasant to the tongue ; 
 'Tis found in a saloon or gay gin- 
 palace. 
 
 The New York merchant, when his day's 
 work 's past. 
 
 Would give my whole to ride home on 
 my last.
 
 A 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx, 53 
 
 51 
 
 LTHOUGH in Bible lore well versed. 
 
 Some call the Sixteenth Psalm my first. 
 
 A suitor for a lady plead. 
 
 But her stern father firmly said, 
 
 ** Until you have more wealth amassed. 
 
 You cannot call yourself my last." 
 
 My whole, by enemies surrounded, 
 
 A clever riddle once propounded.
 
 54 A Book of Charades. 
 
 52 
 
 M 
 
 Y second is a high degree ; 
 
 It was my mother's name. 
 I 'm sure that you can guess my first. 
 
 If you my last can claim. 
 My whole Poor Richard used to write. 
 And many still its wisdom cite.
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 55 
 
 53 
 
 THE dread mosquito 's found the most. 
 They say, along the Jersey coast. 
 But where its bite is really worst 
 Is on my second of my first. 
 My whole was cheered with shouts of glee ; 
 Men fought like beasts, with yell and 
 
 snort. 
 And ladies fair looked on to see 
 The brutal sport.
 
 56 A Book of Charades. 
 
 54 
 
 I 
 
 F we open my first. 
 
 We perceive it 's a jar. 
 My second, they say. 
 
 Is upholding the bar. 
 By something we hear 
 
 Very frequently said. 
 We are led to infer 
 
 That my total is dead.
 
 A 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. SI 
 
 55 
 
 LTHOUGH my first was all his life 
 
 ignored. 
 
 Above his cavillers his spirit soared ; 
 And with his unpraised prose and unread 
 
 rhyme 
 He flung his genius in the teeth of Time. 
 
 My second, always eager to assail. 
 
 You 're often beaten, thereby hangs a tale ; 
 
 And often on your helpless prey you 
 
 pounce. 
 The while half-muttered curses you 
 
 pronounce. 
 
 My whole, for many tragedies to blame. 
 What crimes have been committed in thy 
 
 name ! 
 Wife-beating, dissipation, martyrs blind. 
 And ruined lives thy mention brings to 
 
 mind.
 
 58 -^ Book of Charades. 
 
 56 
 
 THE lady was my first, and so 
 To kiss her made her vext ; 
 Her hair was black as any sloe. 
 Her pretty curls waved to and fro, 
 
 I asked her for my next. 
 My whole, a wretch athirst for slaughter. 
 Preferred his ducats to his daughter.
 
 I 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 59 
 
 57 
 
 WATCHED my first essay her part. 
 She shone in histrionic art ; 
 While many stared, with bated breath, 
 I was my last almost to death ; 
 Even in the dark and stormy night 
 The sailor knows my whole is right.
 
 6o A Book of Charades. 
 
 58 
 
 M 
 
 Y first is Tartary's ruling prince ; 
 My second often makes us wince ; 
 My total we are apt to pass 
 Whene'er we see it in the glass.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 6 1 
 
 59 
 
 Y first we may see when approaching 
 
 Nevv^ York, 
 We often obtain it by means of a fork ; 
 In its secret assistance the pupil delights. 
 The New Woman claims it as one of 
 
 her rights. 
 
 My second is dug by the farmer's sharp 
 
 spade. 
 But viewed with dismay in my lady's 
 
 brocade ; 
 Attractive to mice, in a cake often found, 
 'Tis seen in the old, and made in the 
 
 ground. 
 
 My whole may be easily guessed from 
 
 these rhymes ; 
 I 'm sure you 've seen through it a great 
 
 many times.
 
 62 A Book of Charades. 
 
 60 
 
 o 
 
 NCE on a time, a godly man 
 
 Lived in my first for a brief span ; 
 
 A thousand men were, we are told. 
 
 Slain by my last in days of old* 
 
 My whole lies deep on the ocean's bed. 
 
 The pale remains of a monster dead ; 
 
 And with never a thought of its being 
 
 misplaced. 
 My lady allows it around her waist.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 63 
 
 61 
 
 Y first is made of clay or gold ; 
 
 'T is very hot or very cold. 
 
 My second, though you brush away. 
 
 You will turn back to it some day. 
 
 The scullery-maid, to make things shine. 
 
 Uses my whole, a powder fine.
 
 64 -^ Book of Charades. 
 
 62 
 
 THE American eagle is dear to some. 
 But my first before the bird must come ; 
 The Spanish court looked on, aghast. 
 When brave Columbus sailed my last ; 
 My uncle's fortune 's said to be 
 A very handsome legacy ; 
 'T will be my whole if left to me. .
 
 A 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 65 
 
 63 
 
 FISHERMAN was heard to say 
 He had n't caught my first that day ; 
 But cheerfully he said he reckoned 
 That he would catch my first my second. 
 My tuneful whole, the roses heard 
 All night : so Tennyson averred.
 
 66 A Book of Charades. 
 
 64 
 
 M 
 
 Y last is computed by means of my 
 
 first; 
 It is lost, spent, and wasted, but that *s 
 
 not the worst. 
 It is taken and killed, ' t is reduced to a 
 
 point. 
 And sometimes 't is dragging along out 
 
 of joint. 
 When my last comes for roses to bloom 
 
 in my first. 
 My whole is by poets repeatedly versed.
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 67 
 
 65 
 
 WITHIN my first for many a day 
 The beautiful Ginevra lay. 
 My second 's made of iron or dough ; 
 My whole is something that you 
 know.
 
 68 A Book of Charades, 
 
 66 
 
 M 
 
 Y first was oftentimes bestowed 
 By lady fair on valiant knight. 
 
 And if you give it to a friend. 
 Undoubtedly 'tis right. 
 
 For sale along a city street 
 
 My second often may be found ; 
 
 Costly yet small, they 're sometimes 
 sold 
 A dozen to the pound. 
 
 My third was worshipped by his tribe. 
 O'er all his men he reigned supreme ; 
 
 Yet each has some one whom he thinks 
 My third in his esteem. 
 
 My whole, an old Egyptian charm, 
 A wretch demanded of his wife. 
 
 Which failing to receive, enraged. 
 He took her life.
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 69 
 
 67 
 
 THOUGH hardly a path of glory. 
 My first leads to the grave ; 
 Unless by giving my second 
 Both life and health we save. 
 
 My third is of very small value. 
 The favorite haunt of a mouse ; 
 
 My whole you will find in the kitchen 
 Of every well-ordered house.
 
 70 A Book of Charades. 
 
 68 
 
 M 
 
 Y first ' s an article in daily use ; 
 
 My next 's a well-known bird, but not a 
 
 goose ; 
 My third 's the name a poet gave to 
 
 night ; 
 My whole's a much applauded circus 
 
 sight.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 71 
 
 69 
 
 Y first's a flowery, bowery place 
 Where streamlets gently glide ; 
 
 My second is exactly half 
 Of Nanki-Poo's fair bride ; 
 
 My whole's a kind of resinous gum. 
 
 Or a precious stone it is thought by 
 some.
 
 72 A Book of Charades. 
 
 70 
 
 A 
 
 LITTLE Quakeress is my first ; 
 
 Her eyes are dropped, her lips are pursed. 
 
 A blush her cheek has overcast ; 
 
 Her pearly teeth are in my last. 
 
 My whole upon the river's brink 
 
 Was seen by Mr. Bell, I think.
 
 M 
 
 Jt the Sign of the Sphinx. 73 
 
 71 
 
 Y one and two Canova's fame prolongs; 
 
 My three is ivy-crowned on old 
 
 Silenus ; 
 
 My whole, I 'm sure you will agree, 
 
 belongs 
 
 To Massachusetts and the Milo Venus.
 
 74 -^ Book of Charades, 
 
 72 
 
 M 
 
 Y first is strong and cruel when in a 
 
 rage; 
 Sometimes it separates two loving hearts. 
 My last is quoted from an ancient sage ; 
 The tramp, when he perceives its teeth, 
 
 departs. 
 My first is always present, but my last. 
 Though we recall it, is for ever past. 
 My whole's a merry game or ballad 
 
 gay 
 
 The children and the organ-grinders 
 play.
 
 I 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 75 
 
 73 
 
 N dark and stormy times, by God's decree. 
 My first fell to the dust. A king was 
 
 crowned. 
 So wise and just, by all the region round 
 
 Peaceful and blest my first was said to be. 
 
 Before his queen my second bends the knee, 
 A German leader, for his skill renowned 
 In bow or ball ; and with salute profound. 
 
 Among the lancers meets his vis-k-vis. 
 
 Niagara! I love thy thunderous roar. 
 Thy mighty torrent dashing madly by. 
 Thy fairy spray twinkling with dia- 
 monds bright. 
 And standing, spell-bound, on the rocky 
 shore 
 I watch thy grandeur. Faintly I descry 
 My shining whole, with rapturous 
 delight.
 
 76 A Book of Charades. 
 
 74 
 
 M 
 
 Y first for industry 
 
 Has achieved a great renown ; 
 A singer made my last 
 
 In a simple cotton gown ; 
 Each Sabbath day, my whole 
 
 Peals forth in many a town.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 77 
 
 75 
 
 Y first is round and very thin. 
 You take it with your tea ; 
 
 My second every one must have. 
 It grows within a tree ; 
 
 History declares my whole was bare. 
 Which caused much misery.
 
 78 A Book of Charades. 
 
 76 
 
 A 
 
 LTHOUGH I plead. 
 She firmly said 
 
 My first, which dashed my dreams. 
 My second we 
 Admit to be 
 
 Not always what it seems. 
 
 You may find my whole 
 In a golden bowl. 
 
 And kings for it have striven ; 
 The pauper owns. 
 The miser loans. 
 
 And the Pope to us has given.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 79 
 
 77 
 
 Y second spoke my first, and it was 
 
 handed down in history ; 
 Though you correcdy guess my whole, 
 
 't will still remain a mystery.
 
 8o A Book of Charades. 
 
 78 
 
 I 
 
 SING my first. Come dirges and sad 
 
 moans. 
 And wailings dire, and sobbing sighs and 
 
 groans. 
 And blighted hopes, and swiftly dropping 
 
 tears. 
 And dreary days, and long and lonely years. 
 
 I sing my last. Come mirth and laughter 
 
 gay* 
 
 On with the festive dance till dawn of day ! 
 Come merry madness, revelry, and sport. 
 And fickle Folly holding mimic court. 
 
 Copied from Shakespeare, whom it well 
 
 defines. 
 My whole has strength and beauty in its 
 
 lines.
 
 o 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 8 1 
 
 79 
 
 NE beautiful day in early May, , 
 
 Some recreation wishing, 
 I took my creel and my rod and reel. 
 
 In my first I went a-fishing. 
 
 I chanced to pass a country lass, 
 
 I smiled as I espied her ; 
 For with awkward air and a sheepish stare 
 
 My second walked beside her. 
 
 When the day was spent, I homeward 
 went. 
 While the twinkling starbeams glistened ; 
 'Twas a glorious night, and with calm 
 delight 
 To the song of my whole I listened.
 
 82 ^ Book of Charades. 
 
 80 
 
 M 
 
 Y first can never look you in the eye ; 
 
 My second is of use in Copenhagen ; 
 My whole's a land that millions occupy, 
 
 ' T is partly christianized and pardy 
 pagan.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 83 
 
 81 
 
 Y first at times the sea-breeze gently 
 
 stirs. 
 Again my first speeds foaming o'er tlie 
 
 track 
 And wins the race. 
 
 My second stands among 
 An ancient line of noted characters ; 
 A noble line, my second near the head. 
 
 My whole, a monarch absolute, controls 
 His subjects with despotic power and 
 
 sway 
 Albeit they love him. If he speak or 
 
 move. 
 They say, " Aha ! my lord doth so 
 
 and so." 
 
 And if he but express a wish, they fly 
 Instantly to obey his shrill behest. 
 Shakespeare avows he wears upon his 
 
 brow 
 The very round and top of sovereignty.
 
 §4 A Book of Charades. 
 
 82 
 
 M 
 
 Y first describes the widow's weeds. 
 The Ace o'i Spades, the melon's seeds; 
 My next we value in our hand. 
 The emblem of our native land ; 
 My whole, the ancient story goes. 
 One day bit off a lady's nose.
 
 I 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 85 
 
 83 
 
 WANDERED long in deserts dry. 
 
 Pure water was my quest ; 
 And when it proved to be my whole 
 
 That sparkled in the west. 
 My first and second better be 
 
 Imagined than expressed.
 
 86 J Book of Charades. 
 
 84 
 
 w 
 
 HEN Shakespeare's fair Viola wished 
 for a beard. 
 
 On my first, as my first we are told 
 she appeared ; 
 
 Of my second. King Solomon truly 
 declares 
 
 Her meat in the summer she duly 
 prepares ; 
 
 With blaring of trumpets and banging 
 of drums. 
 
 My whole in its splendor trium- 
 phantly comes.
 
 T 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 87 
 
 85 
 
 HE hall was illumined. 
 
 The darkness dispersed. 
 As my last through my whole 
 
 Came down from my first.
 
 88 A Book of Charades. 
 
 86 
 
 M 
 
 Y last is a stone. 
 
 And my first is a fraud ; 
 Though it quiets a babe's moan. 
 Yet my last is a stone ; 
 My total is grown 
 
 In a country abroad ; 
 My last is a stone. 
 
 And my first is a fraud.
 
 I 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 89 
 
 87 
 
 WALKED across my first. 
 
 With my second in my arms. 
 
 In hopes that I might find my whole 
 At one of the near-by farms. 
 
 Success my efforts crowned. 
 My whole came at my beck ; 
 
 I left my one and two, and said, 
 ** Be sure to wring its neck."
 
 90 A Book of Charades. 
 
 88 
 
 M 
 
 Y first by some old sage 
 Was kept until it dried, 
 
 A season it remained 
 
 And then 't was thrown aside. 
 
 My second and my third 
 Has four legs and a head. 
 
 And three times every day 
 We carry to it bread. 
 
 When in a railroad train 
 At rattling speed we roll 
 
 From Boston to New York, 
 The train goes by my whole.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 9 1 
 
 89 
 
 Y first proclaims tlie night is past 
 
 And day has dawned. Hope tells my 
 
 last. 
 My whole some take to quench their 
 
 thirst. 
 And yet my whole adorns my first.
 
 92 A Book of Charades. 
 
 90 
 
 M 
 
 Y sweet first, with thy rosy cheek 
 And fair soft skin, 'tis thee I seek; 
 
 By slaves thou shalt be served 
 If thou wilt come and stay with me ; 
 And if I can, I '11 surely see 
 
 That thou art well preserved. 
 
 My next is good beyond a doubt, 
 Yet saving people throw it out. 
 
 Or send it to a friend ; 
 My whole is used to cleanse and scrub. 
 Advertisements with pictured tub 
 
 Its properties commend.
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 93 
 
 91 
 
 THE farmer shook his shrewd old poll. 
 As cleverly he drove my whole ; 
 Then by his appetite accurst. 
 Spent all my second at my first.
 
 94 -^ Book of Charades. 
 
 92 
 
 A 
 
 LTHOUGH my first men shoot and eat. 
 
 It is not always wild ; 
 My second crowned with blossoms sweet 
 Is clambering o'er a rustic seat. 
 
 Sweet Nature's graceful child. 
 My whole thrives best in tropic heat. 
 
 Or where the climate's mild.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 95 
 
 93 
 
 y first a brute declined to cross ; 
 
 The ladies scorn it when it's past. 
 Brave heroes, now beneath the moss. 
 
 Preserved my last unto my last. 
 My whole, in Rome's illustrious day. 
 Wrote the ^Eneid, so they say.
 
 96 A Book of Charades. 
 
 94 
 
 T 
 
 HERE once was a beautiful dancing- 
 girl. 
 Her lips and her cheeks were red ; 
 And in consequence of her graceful 
 whirl. 
 My first soon lost his head. 
 
 The noise of my second we shuddering 
 hear. 
 
 For oft where its rattle is found. 
 The serpent that bites is lingering near. 
 
 And the adder that stings is around. 
 
 My whole is the color of quinces or 
 gold. 
 
 Of saffron or daffodil ; 
 It causes jealousy, we are told. 
 
 And it makes us awfully ill.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 97 
 
 95 
 
 Y first knaves brought to me a heap of 
 gold; 
 Shuddering, I heard a voice out of 
 my second ; 
 My whole was by an old Egyptian told. 
 And fabulous by all my friends, 'tis 
 reckoned.
 
 98 A Book of Charades, 
 
 96 
 
 w 
 
 HEN I 'm my whole, I do not care 
 Whether the days be dark or fair ; 
 I do not care for crops or grain. 
 For pipes or horses or champagne. 
 Or what I eat, or what I wear. 
 
 I care no^though my friends declare 
 My first is calm. I 'm in despair. 
 And cheerfulness I cannot feign 
 When I 'm my whole. 
 
 Consequent joys I '11 gladly spare ; 
 I 'd rather be my last elsewhere. 
 
 Haply within my own domain. 
 
 And though I *m really not profane 
 I almost feel obliged to swear 
 
 When I 'm my whole.
 
 M 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 99 
 
 97 
 
 Y first young Hamlet called the Ghost ; 
 
 Upon my next the British host 
 
 Fought Prescott's men with ball and 
 
 blade ; 
 Out of my whole are mountains made.
 
 100 A Book of Charades, 
 
 98 
 
 M 
 
 Y first hangs from the Congo trees," 
 Subject of many theories ; 
 Among the hills and mossy dells. 
 Among the wildwood brakes and fells, 
 'Neath winter skies and summer suns. 
 My noisy little second runs. 
 When rains their swelling torrents bring. 
 You '11 find my whole in every spring ; 
 And in my whole the great Shakespeare 
 Began and ended his career.
 
 A 
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. i O I 
 
 99 
 
 HARROWING tale I 'm about to relate 
 Of a beautiful maid and her horrible 
 fate. 
 The actors are three. 
 In this grim tragedy ; 
 So of course complications we all can 
 
 foresee. 
 And as each represents a particular role. 
 We '11 call them my second, my first, 
 and my whole. 
 Now my whole was to wed 
 With my first, but instead. 
 To his horror, he found that the lady had 
 
 fled. 
 Though the gay marriage-tables already 
 were spread. 
 And on looking around 
 He very soon found 
 That my second was missing. Of course 
 
 he had ground 
 To believe they'd eloped. He stormed 
 and he frowned ; 
 He terribly cursed 
 Both my second and first.
 
 102 A Book of Charades. 
 
 Indeed I don't know which he rated the 
 
 worst. 
 Her mother just fainted away in despair ; 
 Her papa from the depths of his big 
 easy-chair 
 Said, " Well, I declare 
 I don't know as I 'd care 
 If she'd only gone off with a rich mil- 
 lionaire ; 
 But my last for my son, I never could 
 bear." 
 My whole mounted a horse 
 And he followed their course. 
 Resolved that he'd rescue the lady by 
 
 force. 
 Half hoping she'd greet him with tears 
 
 and remorse ; 
 He espied them afar! He o'ertook them 
 
 at length. 
 And he challenged my last to a trial of 
 strength. 
 The lady sat by 
 With a tear in her eye, 
 Being really unwilling that either should 
 die.
 
 At the Sign of the Sphinx. 1 03 
 
 They fought and they sparred. 
 Until wounded and scarred. 
 Both gave up the ghost, like the cats of 
 
 Kilkenny, 
 And instead of two lovers, my first 
 hadn't any.
 
 PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, 
 IN CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, 
 FOR STONE AND KIMBALL, PUBLISH- 
 ERS, NEW YORK, M DCCC XCVI
 
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