The Kentucke Gazette

MR. BRADFORD,

For want of something better you may substitute the following Riddle, (the product of a leisure hour) whoever solves it will not think the complaint unreasonable, nor the Egotism on too high a strain, I am excessive fond of the family although (and I am sorry to say it) I have seldom met with them in Kentucky.

I am Sir yours &c.
AMYNTOR.

RIDDLE.

I am resolv'd to hint my name,
And stand a candidate for fame;
For long neglect of conscious merit
Will touch the heart and rouse the spirit:
Self praise I own is not the thing,
And harsh it sounds from Peer or King,
Yet nevertheless, it is a passion
Indulg'd by men, in ev'ry station:
And since the virtues which I claim
Deserve an ever ending fame,
Those virtues now I will record,
And hope to meet a just reward;
Ungrateful Bards! you pass me by
No thanks to you-- so will not I.
My ancestors a num'rous race,
From Age to Age I clearly trace:
Among the Romans (history says)
From Romulus to Caesar's days,
With undiminish'd Reputation
We met by all high Estimation;
The Phalanx worn by tedious marches,
Or wet, or cold by mid-night watch
When aided by our kind assistance
Did seldom dread the foes resistance
Now by a num'rous Progeny
We boast a mixed Family,
But hence, from foreign composition
I'm alter'd much in disposition,
And inconsistent ev'ry feature
Hot, bitter, sour and sweet by nature
I am a most surprising creature,
At Table take the highest seat,
I sauce the Pudding, help the meat.
Favors alike I rear to all,
And ever ready, at a call.
In short think what you please about us
No Entertainment is without us
And yet the Devil sure is in't
I seldom see my name in print :
Nay hardly know I how to spell it
Tis truth or else I now would tell it.

* Alluding to the method of raising the spirits practised by Roman soldiery.