Yet, backward as they are, and long have been, 920 THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN 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 John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we "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; We will be furnished with our own, John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; That though on pleasure she was bent The morning came, the chaise was brought, To drive up to the door, lest all So three doors off the chaise was stayed, Six precious souls, 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, For saddle-tree scarce reached had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, "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 Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul !) Had two stone bottles found, To hold the liquor that she loved, And keep it safe and sound. Each bottle had a curling ear Through which the belt he drew, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, Now see him mounted once again Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, But, finding soon a smoother road So, "Fair and softly," John he cried, So stooping down, as needs he must He grasped the mane with both his hands His horse, who never in that sort Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; He little dreamt, when he set out, 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 screamed, And every soul cried out, "Well done!" Away went Gilpin-who but he? And still, as fast as he drew near, And now, as he went bowing down Down ran the wine into the road, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke As they had basted been. But still he seemed to carry weight, Thus all through merry Islington These gambols he did play, And there he threw the Wash about Just like unto a trundling mop, Or a wild goose at play. At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wondering much To see how he did ride. "Stop, stop, John Gilpin !-Here's the house!" They all at once did cry; "The dinner waits, and we are tired; " Said Gilpin-" So am I!" But yet his horse was not a whit For why?—his owner had a house So like an arrow swift he flew, Away went Gilpin, out of breath, The calender, amazed to see Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, And thus accosted him: "What news? what news? your tidings tell; Tell me you must and shallSay why bareheaded you are come, Or why you come at all?" Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, "I came because your horse would come, My hat and wig will soon be here,— The calender, right glad to find But to the house went in; Whence straight he came with hat and wig, A hat not much the worse for wear, He held them up, and in his turn |