Two twins we are, and, let it not surprise,
Alike in every feature, shape, and size:
We’re square, or round, of brass or iron made,
Sometimes of wood, yet useful found in trade ;
But, to conclude, for all our daily pains,
We by the neck are often hung in chains.
What are we?
From The Book of Riddle Portland: Bailey & Noyes.
A pair of scales.
Most of the riddle is just describing them, and the last lines allude to their purpose.
Two twins we are, and, let it not surprise,
Alike in every feature, shape, and size:
We’re square, or round, of brass or iron made,
Sometimes of wood, yet useful found in trade;
Scales may be made of various different materials, they consist of two identical parts, and they might be often used by old-time traders.
But, to conclude, for all our daily pains,
We by the neck are often hung in chains.
Either we're equal or one is greater.
They dangle side by side from chains, and whether they're equal or one is greater is the important thing in using them.
Is it:
A pair of scales (to weigh things)
Alike in every feature, shape, and size:
They have to be the same or their purpose is destroyed.
We’re square, or round, of brass or iron made, Sometimes of wood, yet useful found in trade ;
They can be made of many things, weighing things is a part of trading.
We by the neck are often hung in chains.
They are chained up (to function).
