WILLIAM COWPER THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown, A trainband captain eke° was he John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, 66 These twice ten tedious years, yet we "To-morrow is our wedding day, Unto the Bell at Edmonton° "My sister, and my sister's child, 10 Will fill the chaise; so you must ride 15 He soon replied, "I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, "I am a linendraper bold, As all the world doth know, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said; John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; 30 That, though on pleasure she was bent, 35 40 The morning came, the chaise was brought, 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 souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folks so glad, The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside° were mad. John Gilpin at his horse's side 45 For saddletree° scarce reach'd had he 50 When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, 'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind, 55 When Betty screaming came down stairs, 66 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 Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) 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, Now see him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, But finding soon a smoother road So, "fair and softly," John he cried, In spite of curb and rein. So stooping down, as needs he must He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, His horse, who never in that sort What thing upon his back had got Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern A bottle swinging at each side, The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, "Well done!" 105 Up flew the windows all; 110 And every soul cried out, Away went Gilpin - who but he? His fame soon spread around, "He carries weight! he rides a race! 'Tis for a thousand pound!" 115 |