THE DIVERTING HISTORY JOHN OF GILPIN; SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE INTENDED, AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he Of famous London town. John Gilpin's fpouse faid to her dear- These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen. 24 Myself, and children three, Will fill the chaife; fo you must ride On horfeback after we. He foon replied-I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are fhe, my deareft dear, I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender. Will lend his horfe to go. Quoth Mrs. Gilpin-That's well faid; And, for that wine is dear, We will be furnish'd with our own, Which is both bright and clear. John Gilpin kifs'd his loving wife; O'erjoy'd was he to find That, though on pleasure fhe was bent, She had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaife was brought, But yet was not allow'd To drive up to the door, left all Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaife was stay'd, Six precious fouls, and all agog To dash 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 Seiz'd faft the flowing mane, And up he got, in hafte to ride, For faddle-tree fcarce reach'd had he, His journey to begin, When, turning round his head, he faw Three customers come in. 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 When I do exercise. Now mistress Gilpin (careful foul!) To hold the liquor that she lov'd, Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, And hung a bottle on each fide, 8 |