HISTORY OF JOHN GIL PIN; SHEWING, HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE INTENDED, AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN. JOHN OHN Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band Captain eke was he Of famous London town. John Gilpin's spouse faid to her dear, These twice ten tedious years, yet we To-morrow is our wedding-day, Unto the Bell at Edmonton All in a chaise and pair. My My fifter and my fifter's child, Myself and children three, Will fill the chaife, so you must ride He foon replied, I do admire And you are fhe, my deareft dear, I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well faid; We will be furnish'd with our own, Which is both bright and clear, John Gilpin kifs'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 chaife was brought, But yet was not allow'd Το To drive up to the door, left all Should fay that she was proud. So three doors off the chaife was stay'd, Six precious fouls, and all agog To dafh through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folk so glad, The ftones did rattle underneath As if Cheapfide were mad. John Gilpin at his horfe's fide Seiz'd faft the flowing mane, And up he got in hafte to ride, But foon came down again; For faddle-tree fcarce reach'd had he, When, turning round his head, he faw Three cuftomers come in. So down he came; for lofs of time, Although it griev'd him fore, Yet lofs of pence, full well he knew, Would trouble him much more. VOL. II. N 'Twas 'Twas long before the customers Were fuited to their mind, When Betty screaming came down ftairs, "The wine is left behind." Good lack! quoth he-yet bring it me, In which I bear my trusty fword Now Mistress Gilpin, careful foul! Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, And hung a bottle on each fide, 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 fee him mounted once again Upon his nimble fteed, Full |