| 1) | Living in midst of flames, I feel no heat | ~~~A Salamander. |
| And laugh to scorn the dangers of my pyre. | |
| No crackling fire nor glowing ember's spark Consumes me, | |
| For their hot bright flames grow cool. | |
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| 2) | Once I was water, full of scaly fish; | ~~~Salt. |
| But, by a new decision, Fate has changed | |
| My nature: Having suffered fiery pangs, | |
| I now gleam white, like ashes or bright snow. | |
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| 3) | Now do not disbelieve me, though mine seem | ~~~A Pillow. |
| Incredible speech, but open willing ears. | |
| High, towards the clouds of heaven, at times I swell, | |
| And should you take the head, my body too | |
| Were gone; but if a heavy head me press, | |
| Deep-sinking, half my bulk I seem to lose. | |
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| 4) | We seventeen sisters, voiceless all, declare | ~~~The Alphabet. |
| Six others bastards are, and not of us. | |
| Of iron we are born, and find our death | |
| Again by iron; or at times we come | |
| From pinion of a lofty-flying bird. | |
| Three brothers got us of an unknown mother. | |
| To him who thirsts for instant counsel, we | |
| In silence quickly bring out hoarded words. | |
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