The praise bestow'd was just and wise; So the best courser on the plain THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN; SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE INTENDED, AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN. JOHN Gilpin was a citizen A train-band captain eke was he John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, To-morrow is our wedding day, My sister, and my sister's child, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride He soon replied, I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, I 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, 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, The stones did rattle underneath, 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, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, 'Twas long before the customers When Betty screaming came down stairs, Good lack! quoth he-yet bring it me, In which I bear my trusty sword, Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Each bottle had a curling ear, 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, With caution and good heed. But finding soon a smoother road So stooping down, as needs he must. He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, His horse, who never in that sort Had handled been before, Away went Gilpin, neck or naught; He little dream'd, when he set out, 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, Up flew the windows all; And every soul cried out, Well done! As loud as he could bawl, Away went Gilpin-who but he; 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 braced; And there he threw the wash about Or a wild goose at play. At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wondering much |