JOHN GILPIN was a citizen

Of credit and renown,

A trainband captain eke was he

Of famous London town.

John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear,
'Though wedded we have been
These twice ten tedious years, yet we
No holiday have seen.

To-morrow is our wedding day,

And we will then repair

Unto the Bell at Edmonton,

All in a chaise and pair.

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5

ΙΟ

So three doors off the chaise was stayed,

Where they did all get in;

Six precious souls, and all agog

To dash through thick and thin.

40

Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,

Were never folk so glad,

The stones did rattle underneath,

As if Cheapside were mad.

When Betty screaming came down stairs,'The wine is left behind!'

60

'Good lack!' quoth he, 'yet bring it me,

His long red cloak, well brushed and neat,
He manfully did throw.

75

VOL. I.

The dogs did bark, the children screamed,

Up flew the windows all;

And every soul cried out, 'Well done!'

As loud as he could bawl.

ΙΤΟ

Away went Gilpin-who but he?

His fame soon spread around;

'He carries weight!' 'He rides a race!'

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