On roaming paths I put a break,
A nation's dream, I fill its shape;
A rascal's drudging work I take,
And all my kind, good neighbors make.
What am I?
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
1
-
2$\begingroup$ Please. Dont tell me the answer is Hong Kong people. $\endgroup$– Omega KryptonCommented Sep 11, 2019 at 23:16
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
10
I'm pretty sure you are
a FENCE.
On roaming paths I put a break,
(Literally.)
A nation's dream, I fill its shape;
I didn't understand this line at all, but in comments tmpearce makes the very plausible suggestion that the line refers to "the American Dream", in its incarnation as a suburban house and garden surrounded by a white picket fence.
A rascal's drudging work I take,
My original interpretation: A fence is a receiver (and seller) of stolen goods. The rascal is a thief. (Not sure I'd exactly call theft "drudging", though maybe it is.) Darrel Hoffman's much better interpretation, in comments: This is a reference to Mark Twain's story of Tom Sawyer tricking his friends into painting a fence for him.
And all my kind, good neighbors make.
"Good fences make good neighbours."
The title -- "Not to protest, but -" -- refers, I think, to
picket fences.
Credit where due:
tmpearce figured out the "American Dream" bit (for which I didn't have any good ideas); Darrel Hoffman figured out the Tom Sawyer bit (for which my alternative interpretation is, I think, kinda OK though clearly inferior).
answered Sep 12, 2019 at 1:31
-
$\begingroup$ For line 2, I suspect it has to do with rot13(Gur "Nzrevpna Qernz" naq "juvgr cvpxrg sraprf" - uggcf://jjj.fzvgufbavnaznt.pbz/uvfgbel/uvfgbel-juvgr-cvpxrg-srapr-180971635/) but I don't quite understand the precise wording of the clue, perhaps it is more nuanced than I'm appreciating $\endgroup$– tmpearceCommented Sep 12, 2019 at 2:05
-
$\begingroup$ Ah, that's quite possible. $\endgroup$– Gareth McCaughan ♦Commented Sep 12, 2019 at 2:08
-
$\begingroup$ rot13(Qhevat gur gjragvrgu praghel, gur Nzrevpna Qernz jnf fgebatyl gvrq gb ynaq bjarefuvc naq ubzr bjarefuvc. Fb V nz snveyl pregnva guvf vf pbeerpg.) $\endgroup$– Cloudy7Commented Sep 12, 2019 at 2:23
-
$\begingroup$ Not sure whether or not to upvote this answer...really can't make up my mind at all... going back and forth in my head...both sides have value. Definitely on the -----. $\endgroup$ Commented Sep 12, 2019 at 13:05
-
$\begingroup$ I unmarked this as the answer -- it's not exactly right, though very close -- however, unless you get this exactly right the second and third line will not make any sense. $\endgroup$– james hCommented Sep 12, 2019 at 13:26