THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN. Showing how he went farther than he intended, JOHN GILPIN was a citizen John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, To-morrow is our wedding day, My sister, and my sister's child, On horseback after we. 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, And my good friend the calender Will lend his horse to go. Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; We will be furnished with our own, John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife ; That, though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. 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, Were never folks so glad, The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside were mad. John Gilpin at his horse's side For saddletree 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 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, When I do exercise. Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, And hung a bottle on each side, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat, He manfully did throw. 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, So stooping down, as needs he must Who cannot sit upright, He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, And eke with all his might. His horse, who never in that sort Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern 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! Away went Gilpin-who but he? |