A wise King bade the lazy fool Observe my Second's ways, And notice--as it were in school-- The wisdom she displays. Yet hers is a devouring race, And might--though strange it be-- Eat up, in given time and place, My First, or you, or me. As for my whole--in every age Mankind must have its show; In actual life, on mimic stage, In peace, war, joy, or woe. Now 'tis a wedding, now a death, A gathering, or a play; It comes, but, like a passing breath, Full soon 'tis swept away. III. When Richard of the Lion Heart In arms the Paynim sought, I of his panoply was part, And, wielding me, he fought. When ladies on a different field With men their skill essay, I am the weapon that they wield If they would gain the day. When cooks in certain dishes show Their culinary art, I am on hand--the masters know What flavour I impart. IV. I'm a word of one syllable. Look you for me Mid Niagara's roar; in the turbulent sea; Where the winds and the waters are wildest at play, And fling off their laughter in volumes of spray. I'm a noun of five letters; but throw one aside-- I'm a verb; with the noun I'm no longer allied. I'm a grave, solemn verb; nay, I truly might say, Those who follow my precept do nothing but pray. But again; let two letters be dropped--there's a change; As a noun--and by no means a grave one--I range. Now I'm here; now I'm there; seen by night and by day, For in short, I'm a beam, or a flash, or a ray. Thus a verb and two nouns packed together you see, In a word of one syllable.--What can it be? V. There are some words, that in a double sense Must be interpreted; of these am I. Your housemaid, thus, wilt know me literally Better than you do; but, with all respect For Betty's carefulness, she scarce can catch My finer meaning. I'm, with her, a thing For brush and duster; in me, you behold A symbol. So much for me as I stand. Now cut my head off--I'm another word Of narrow and of wide significance, Handful of dust, the very world itself. Cut off my tail--the effect is still the same; I'm yet another of those duplex words: Mental and bodily, an essential part Of all mankind, without which no one lives, Nay, not an animal, though you may swear, And truly too, that I have no existence, And never had, in certain men and women. Enough: it is not difficult to find Three words, six meanings, in one syllable. VI.