Answer:
Not born, but from a Mother's body drawn. I hang until half of me is gone. I sleep in a cave until I grow old. Then valued for my hardened gold.
What English word retains the same pronunciation, even after you take away four of its five letters?
It is weightless, you can see it. If you put it in a barrel it will make it lighter?
A horrid monster hides from the day, with many legs and many eyes. With silver chains it catches prey. And eats it all before it dies. Yet in every cottage does it stay. And every castle beneath the sky.
My teeth are sharp, my back is straight, to cut things up it is my fate.
I'm the source of all emotion but I'm caged in a white prison.