THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN; SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HẾ INTENDED, AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown, John Gilpin's fpoufe faid to her dear Thefe twice ten tedious years, yet we To-morrow is our wedding-day,' And we will then repair Unto the Bell at Edmonton All in a chaife and pair. My fifter, and my fifter's child, must ride He foon replied—I do admire And you are she, my dearest dear, 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 faid John Gilpin kifs'd his loving wife; That, though on pleasure fhe was bent, The morning came, the chaife was brought, yet was not allow'd But To drive up to the door, least all So three doors off the chaife was ftay'd, Six precious fouls, and all agog To dafh through thick and thin! Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folk fo glad, The ftones did rattle underneath As if Cheapfide were mad. John Gilpin at his horfe's fide For faddle-tree fcarce reach'd had he, When, turning round his head, he faw So down he came; for lofs of time, Yet lofs of pence, full well he knew, 'Twas long before the customers Were fuited 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 Now miftrefs Gilpin (careful foul!) To hold the liquor that she lov'd, Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, Then, over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat, He manfully did throw. 1 Now fee him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed, Full flowly pacing o'er the ftones But, finding foon a smoother road So, Fair and foftly, John he cried, |