VI.-Facetious History of John Gilpin. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown; A train band captain eke was he, Of famous London town. John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear- And we shall then repair He soon reply'd—" I do admire I am a linen-draner bold, As all the world doth know; Quoth Mrs. Gilpin" That's well said; We will be furnish'd 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, The stones did rattle underneath, John Gilpin at his horse's side, Seiz'd fast the flowing mane, And up he got in haste to ride, But soon came down again. For saddletree scarce reach'd had he, When turning round his head, he saw So down he came, for loss of time, When Betty scream'd into his ears- "Good lack!" quoth he, " yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, Now Mrs. Gilpin, careful soul, Had two stone bottles found, Each bottle had a curling ear, He hung a bottle on each side To make his balance true. Then over all, that he might be Equipp'd from top to toe, His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat, Now see him mounted once again, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, 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. Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; Away went hat and wig; He little dreamt, when he set out, Of running such a rig. His horse, who never had before Been handled in this kind, 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, And every soul cri'd 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, But still he seem'd to carry weight, And there he threw the Wash about, Just like unto a trundling mop, At Edmonton, his loving wife, Her tender husband, wond'ring 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 tir'd!" Said Gilpin "So am I !" But, yet his horse was not a whit Inclin'd to tarry there; For why?-His owner had a house So like an arrow swift he flew, Away went Gilpin, out of breath, Tom Callender, surpris'd to see His friend in such a trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, And thus accosted him : "What news? What news? Your tidings tell; Make haste and tell me all ! Say, why bare-headed are you come? Or why you come at all?" Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, "I came because your horse Trould come; My hat and wig will soon be here ; Tom Callender, right glad to find Whence straight he came with hat and wig, A hat not much the worse for wear; He held them up; and, in his turn, And stop and eat-for well you may Said John-" It is my wedding day; So turning to his horse, he said, 'Twas for your pleasure you came here, Ah! luckless speech, and bootless boast, And gallop'd off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away Went Gilpin's hat and wig; Now Gilpin's wife, when she had seen Her husband posting down Into the country, far away, She pull'd out half a crown: And thus unto the youth she said "This shall be yours, when you bring back. My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon they met; By seizing fast the flowing rein; Away went Gilpin-and away Went postboy at his heels; The postboy's horse right glad to miss, The lumb'ring of the wheels. Six gentlemen upon the road, Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy scamp'ring in the rear, They rais'd the hue and cry. "Stop thief! stop thief! a highwayman!" Not one of them was mute; X |