John Gilpin. 157 THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN, SHOWING HOW HE WENT FURTHER THAN HE INTENDED, AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN. OHN 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; To-morrow is our wedding-day, My sister, and my sister's child, 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, I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, Will lend his horse to go. 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, She had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allowed 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, For saddletree scarce reached had he, When, turning round his head, he saw Three customers come in. John Gilpin. So down he came; for loss of time, Although it grieved him sore, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, '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 When I do exercise. Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul !) Each bottle had a curling ear, And hung a bottle on each side, Then over all, that he might be Equipped from top to toe, His long red cloak, well brushed 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. 159 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 grasped the main with both his hands, And eke with all his might. His horse, who never in that sort Away went Gilpin, neck or naught; He little dreamt, when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern The bottles he had slung; A bottle swinging at each side, As hath been said or sung. John Gilpin. 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. 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, Most piteous to be seen, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke As they had basted been. But still he seemed to carry weight, With leathern girdle braced; For all might see the bottle necks Still dangling at his waist. Thus all through merry Islington Of Edmonton so gay; 161 |