CCXVII.

[The allusion to Oliver Cromwell satisfactorily fixes the date of the riddle to belong to the seventeenth century. The answer is, a rainbow.]

Purple, yellow, red, and green, The king cannot reach it nor the queen; Nor can old Noll, whose power's so great: Tell me this riddle while I count eight.

Pease-porridge hot, pease-porridge cold, Pease-porridge in the pot, nine days old. Spell me _that_ without a P, And a clever scholar you will be.

As I was going o'er Westminster bridge, I met with a Westminster scholar; He pulled off his cap _an' drew_ off his glove, And wished me a very good morrow. What is his name?

[A Chimney.]

Black within, and red without; Four corners round about.

There was a man rode through our town, Gray Grizzle was his name; His saddle-bow was gilt with gold, Three times I've named his name.

[A Hedgehog.]

As I went over Lincoln bridge I met mister Rusticap; Pins and needles on his back, A going to Thorney fair.