Riddles

Soutar was famous for his riddles as well as his poetry (and some combinations of the two) Here are six. Best of Luck. 1. Spindle-shank gangs owre the flair Wi’ his ae leg in the air: Shaks his pow outside the door Whan his hair is fou o’ stour. 2. Airms oot and legs oot It wudna hurt a hair: But whan it draws itsel’ thegither Lat a’body tak care. 3. Aye at his meat was monie-feet Or he cud eat nae mair; Syne wuppit in a windin’ sheet Likes he was for the lair. Death thocht an unco thocht nae doot Whan, wi’ the simmer sin, The canty corp cam warslin oot Mair braw nor he gaed in. 4. I gaed up the hill for what I had tint But whan I had gottan it naebody kent: I cam doun the hill wi’ what I had socht That canna be borrow’d, or beggit, or bocht. 5. I am ae thing: I am nae thing: Baith a big and sma’ thing; And belang to a’ thing. 6. What can hail but canna hear: And answer back but canna speer?