Mr. Punch's Puzzles: The Riddle of the Week

Once, again, Mr. Punch, with my help, is offering up a true Victorian riddle.  The first person to answer correctly--by posting in the comments--will receive public congratulations.  

So, here's this week's riddle.  We ask that you don't Google the answer.  Mr. Punch would not find that sporting at all.  Give it a shot and see what you can come up with.  Here we go... No cheating...


          If old stories say true,

     I could once talk like you;
But for fear of becoming a slave,
     I was instantly mute,
     And grew cunning to boot,
Determined my freedom to save.

     Now the fop and the fool,
     And the rude boy at school,
All endeavour to practise my art,
     But their efforts are vain;
     They pretenders remain,
And must--till the world they depart.

      To observe how I grin,
     With my snub nose, lips, and chin,
Would the laughter excite of a lord;
     And for mimicry too,
     I my betters outdo,
And more innocent pleasure afford.

And, the answer is...

A MONKEY.

We're closing up a little early today.  We have a correct answer from regular commenter Sam P.  Good job, Sam!   And, thanks to our merry, little gang of weirdos for all of your answers.  Come back next Friday for another of Mr. Punch's Puzzles.

Mr. Punch wants you to always know “the way to do it,” so why not check out our “That’s the way to do it!” products which are available only at our online store.