VI-Facetious History of John Gilpin.-CowPER. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown; A train band captain eke was he, John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we Tomorrow is our wedding day, am a linen draper bold, As all the world doth know; Quoth Mrs. Gilpin-" That's well said: John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allow'd To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stay'd, Six precious souls; and all agog, To dash through thick and thin! Smack went the whip, round went the wheels. Were never folk so glad ; The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside were mad. John Gilpin at his horse's side, Seiz'd fast the flowing mane, And up he got in haste to ride, For sadletree scarce reach'd had he, When turning round his head, he saw, So down he came, for loss of time, 'Twas long before the customers "Good lack!" quoth he, " yet bring it me, Now Mrs. Gilpin, careful soul, Had two stone bottles found, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat, Now see him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed; Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, So stooping down, as needs he must, Who cannot sit upright; He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, And eke with all his might. Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; He little dreamt, when he set out, His horse, who never had before The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern A bottle swinging at each side, As hath been said or sung. The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, And every soul cri'd out, "Well done !" Away went Gilpin-who but he ! His fame soon spread around- And still, as fast as he drew near, Down ran the wine into the road, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke, But still he seem'd to carry weight, With leathern girdle brac'd; For all might see the bottle's necks Thus all through merry Islington; And there he threw the Wash about, On both sides of the way; Just like unto a trundling mop, Or a wild goose at play. At Edmonton, his loving wife, From the balcony, spied Her tender husband, wond'ring much Stop, stop, John Gilpin! here's the house! The dinner waits, and we are tir'd !" Said Gilpin-" So am I!" But, yet his horse was not a whit For why?-His owner had a house So like an arrow swift he flew, Away went Gilpin, out of breath, Fom Callender, surpris'd to see Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, "What news? What news? Your tidings tell; Say, Why bareheaded are you come? Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, I came because your horse would come; My hat and wig will soon be here; Tom Callender, right glad to find Whence straight he came with hat and wig, A hat not much the worse for wear; Each comely in its kind. He held them up; and, in his turn, But let me scrape the dirt away And stop and eat-for well you may Said John-" It is my wedding day; 'Twas for your pleasure you came here, Ah! luckless speech, and bootless boast," Away went Gilpin, and away Now Gilpin's wife, when she had seen Into the country, far away," She pull'd out half a crown: And thus unto the youth she said "This shall be yours, when you bring back My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon they met ; But not performing what he meant, Away went Gilpin and away The postboy's horse right glad to miss, The lumb'ring of the wheels. Six gentlemen upon the road, Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy scamp'ring in the rear, They rais'd the hue and cry. Stop thief! stop thief! a highwayman!” ot one of them was mute; |