The Story of Oedipus and the Sphinx

It befell in times past that the gods, being angry with the inhabitants of Thebes, sent into their land a very troublesome beast which men called the Sphinx. Now this beast had the face and breast of a fair woman, but the feet and claws of a lion; and it was wont to ask a riddle of such as encountered it, and such as answered not aright it would tear and devour.

When it had laid waste the land many days, there chanced to come to Thebes one Œdipus, who had fled from the city of Corinth that he might escape the doom which the gods had spoken against him. And the men of the place told him of the Sphinx, how she cruelly devoured the people, and that he who should deliver them from her should have the kingdom. So Œdipus, being very bold, and also ready of wit, went forth to meet the monster. And when she saw him she spake, saying:

"Read me this riddle right, or die: What liveth there beneath the sky, Four-footed creature that doth choose Now three feet and now twain to use, And still more feebly o'er the plain Walketh with three feet than with twain?" What is the rhyme scheme?

And Œdipus made reply: "'Tis man, who in life's early day Four-footed crawleth on his way; When time hath made his strength complete, Upright his form and twain his feet; When age hath bound him to the ground A third foot in his staff is found."

And when the Sphinx found that her riddle was answered she cast herself from a high rock and perished. As a reward Œdipus received the great kingdom of Thebes and the hand of the widowed queen Jocasta in marriage. Four children were born to them--two sons, Eteocles and Polynices, and two daughters, Antigone and Ismené

Examples I fly through the air Due to a blow, My dimples are showing, I am the color of snow. It can hold things Yet it can let them slip away It is an entrance But it is an exit, some say You cannot see in one Yet sometimes see through it you may

Examples I broaden your mind every night I don't give up without a fight Without me, the mornings aren't very funny I am like your energizer bunny What is, oh, so bright And turns on when day becomes night? It is also a decoration That helps with your notations.

Your Turn! Compose your own riddle using the Riddle of the Sphinx as a model. What was the rhyme scheme? How many lines? Follow that model! Have fun with these! They can be silly 