That holy day was washed with many a tear, Learned, by his altered speech--the change divine; Now take me to that heaven, I once defied, Thy presence, thy embrace !'---he spoke and died! THE 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, To-morrow is our wedding-day, My sister, and my sister's child, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride He soon replied, I do admire And you are she, my dearest dear, I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; We will be furnished with our own, John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; That thongh on pleasure she was bent, The morning came, the chaise was brought, To drive up to the door, lest all Should that she was proud. say 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 Seized fast the flowing mane, And up he got in haste to ride, But soon came down again; X For saddle-tree scarce reached had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, 'Twas long before the customers Good lack! quoth he---yet bring it me, Now Mrs. Gilpin (careful soul !) Each bottle had a curling ear, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, 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 So, fair and softly, John he cried, So stooping down, as needs he must He grasped the mane with both his hands, His horse, who never in that sort Had handled been before, Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, At last it flew away. Then might all people well discern As hath been said or sung. 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, How in a trice the turnpike men 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 : Thus all through merry Islington Until he came unto the Wash And there he threw the wash about At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wondering much |