=P Yup. It's time for a little thread 'o' riddles.

HOWEVER.

The poster of the riddle must post hints or tips in a cryptic form to...to enhance atmosphere. Can be nice, can be happy, can be frightening.

The one to answer the riddle gets to post the next riddle, and follow the rules.

ANOTHER RULE:
One shall give the answer if after two weeks no answer has come forth. A new riddle can then be posted either by original poster of riddle, or anyone else.

Example:

Q: "Without me, none could exist. Without me, none can perish. Afore me, naught exist, and aft me, none can exist. What am I?"

A: ...

Q: No? Here's a hint. "Shapes many I have held; river, orb and now disc upon disc upon disc, centered around a single stake."

A: ...

Q: Still no answer? My my..."There's always too little of me to go around. People fight, people die and people bleed for a chance to get more of me"

A: ...Cake?

Q: ...

---

Anyhow. First riddle.

I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.
Those that unleashed me, knew naught of what I was.
Those that dared to harness me paid the ultimate price.
None shall be able to stand against me.
Those that dare shall be poisoned, stricken down by my burning eye.
And all that have seen me in full glory shall see no more.

What am I?

an atom BOMB?

Hokai.  My turn

My first displays the wealth and pomp of kings,
    Lords of the earth! their luxury and ease.
Another view of man, my second brings,
    Behold him there, the monarch of the seas!

But ah! united, what reverse we have!
    Man's boasted power and freedom, all are flown;
Lord of the earth and sea, he bends a slave,
    And woman, lovely woman, reigns alone.

    Thy ready wit the word will soon supply,
    May its approval beam in that soft eye!

Here's a hint:  It's from a famous classic novelist.  The answer to this riddle is a recurring theme in HER works.

Cookie can't comprehend poems. Pass.