I turned me to the rich man then, For silently stood he ; - "You asked me why the poor complain, And these have answered thee." 125. THE PEARL. A little particle of rain, Southey. That from a passing cloud descended, Useless to live, unknown to die." And there an open shell received it ;And, after years, how rich was he Who from its prison-house relieved it! That drop of rain had formed a gem, Fit for a monarch's diadem. 126. THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN, SHOWING HOW HE WENT FURTHER THAN HE INTENDED, AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN. John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown; A train-band [1] captain eke [2] was he Of famous London town. [1] Train-band-a company of men, not soldiers by profession, trained to martial exercise, in times of emer. gency. [2] Eke-also. John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, 66 These twice ten tedious years, yet we To-morrow is our wedding-day, Unto the Bell at Edmonton, [1] My sister and my sister's child, He soon replied, "I do admire "I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know; Quoth [3] Mistress Gilpin, "That's well said, [1] Edmonton-a village on the north of London. [2] Calender-put for calenderer-one whose trade it is to give cloth a smooth and glossy surface by a mechanical process. [3] Quoth says, or said. John Gilpin kissed his loving wife, That, though on pleasure she was bent, The morning came, the chaise was brought, To drive up to the door, lest all So three doors off the chaise was stayed, Six precious souls, and all agog [1] To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, John Gilpin, at his horse's side, And up he got, in haste to ride, For saddle-tree scarce reached had he When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came, for loss of time, [1] Agog-in a state of desire. '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, In which I bear my trusty sword Now Mistress 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 Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, But finding soon a smoother road [1] When I do exercise-as captain of one of the trainbands. 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 Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; He little dreamt, when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern The dogs did bark, the children screamed, And every soul cried out, "Well done!" As loud as he could bawl. [1] Running a rig—an inelegant expression for getting into trouble. |