Not soon deceiv'd; aware, that what is base No polish can make sterling; and that vice, Though well perfum'd and elegantly dress'd, Like an unburied carcass trick'd with flow'rs, Is but a garnish'd nuisance, fitter far For cleanly riddance than for fair attire, So life glides smoothly and by stealth away, More golden than that age of fabled gold Renown'd in ancient song; not vex'd with care Or stain'd with guilt, beneficent, approv'd Of God and man, and peaceful in its end. So glide my life away! and so at last My share of duties decently fulfill'd, May some disease, not tardy to perform Its destin'd office, yet with gentle stroke, Dismiss me weary to a safe retreat,
Beneath the turf that I have often trod.
It shall not grieve me then, that once, when call'd
To dress a Sofa with the low'rs of verse,
I play'd awhile, obedient to the fair,
With that light Task; but soon, to please her
Whom flowers alone I knew would little please, Let fall th' unfinish'd wreath, and rov'd for fruit; Rov'd far, and gather'd much; some harsh, 'tis
Pick'd from the thorns and briars of reproof, But wholesome, well digested; grateful some To palates that can taste immortal truth; Insipid else, and sure to be despised. But all is in His hand whose praise I seek.
In vain the poet sings, and the World hear If he regard not, though divine the theme. 'Tis not in artful measures, in the chime And idle tinkling of a minstrel's lyre, To charm His ear whose eye is on the heart, Whose frown can disappoint the proudest strain Whose approbation-prosper even mine.
Showing how he went further than he intended and came safe home again.
JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown,
A trainband captain eke was he Of famous London town.
John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holy-day have seen.
To-morrow is our wedding-day, And we will then repair Unto the bell at Edmonton, All in a chaise and pair.
My sister, and my sister's child, Myself, and children three, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride On horseback after we.
He soon replied, I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, Therefore it shall be done.
I am a linen-draper bold,
As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Will lend his horse to go.
Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, that's well said, And for that wine is dear, We will be furnish'd with our own, Which is both bright and clear.
John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; O'erjoy'd was he to find,
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, Where they did all get in
Six precious sous, 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 Seized fast the flowing mane, And up he got, in haste to ride, But soon came down again;
For saddle-tree scarce reach'd had he, His journey to begin,
When turning round his head, he saw Three customers come in.
So down he came; for loss of time Although it griev'd him sore, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, Would trouble him much more.
Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind,
When Betty screaming came down stairs, "The wine is left behind!"
Good lack quoth he-yet bring it me
My leathern belt likewise,
In which I bear my trusty sword, When I do exercise
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