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 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,

My sister, and my sister's child,
Myself, and children three,

Will fill the chaise; so you must ride
On horseback after we.

He soon replied, I do admire
Of womankind but one,

And you are she, my dearest dear,
Therefore it shall be done.

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, And for that wine is dear,

We will be furnish'd with our own,

Which is both bright and clear.

John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife;

O'erjoy'd was he to find,

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 that she was proud.

say

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 folk so glad,

The stones did rattle underneath,

As if Cheapside were mad. +

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,

His journey to begin,

When, turning round his head, he saw
Three customers come in.

So down he came; for loss of time,
Although it griev'd him sore;

Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,
Would trouble him much more.

'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 wear my trusty sword,

When I do exercise.

Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul!)
Had two stone bottles found,

To hold the liquor that she lov'd,

And keep it safe and sound.

Each bottle had a curling ear,

Through which the belt he drew,
And 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,

He manfully did throw.

Now see him mounted once again

Upon his nimble steed,

Full slowly pacing o'er the stones,
With caution and good heed.

But finding soon a smoother road
Beneath his well-shod feet,

The snorting beast began to trot,
Which gall'd him in his seat.

So, Fair and softly, John he cried,
But John he cried in vain;

That trot became a gallop soon,
In spite of curb and rein.