Satan's Riddle

As I was out, about, one day
I met the strangest man;
We talked of things, of wax and kings
As he, his tale, began.

He said he was a carpenter
But looked so fine and grand,
Sporting walrus whiskers
And walking cane to hand.

He told me of his lifetime,
Five hundred years or more;
He said that I knew nothing,
Was wasted heretofore.

He said he'd speak a riddle
Before he'd by your leave,
I'd never glean the answer
Just so long as I may breathe.

'Tis round a dish as ever known
And white as snow the look of it;
There's food and life for all mankind
But no man ere partook of it.

If I could solve this puzzle
I'd walk away scot-free;
If not, the devil take my soul,
And steal away with me.

He laughed and said he had me,
That I was soundly beat;
And oh, so soon I'd walk with him ~
The archfiend for to meet.

But he'd not know what made me tall
All those years by-go;
He figured wrong what made me strong
And made my lifeblood flow.

His laughing face would turn to stone
He'd see his ruse I'd bilk;
And answer his conundrum when
I whispered "Mother's milk".