324 Without the sin of violating thine: And, while the wings of Fancy still are free, THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he 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, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; That though on pleasure she was bent, The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allowed To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stayed, 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, The stones did rattle underneath, 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; 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 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, 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 Upon his nimble steed, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, 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 What thing upon his back had got 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!' Away went Gilpin-who but he? And still, as fast as he drew near, 'Twas wonderful to view, How in a trice the turnpike-men Their gates wide open threw. And now, as he went bowing down Down ran the wine into the road, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke But still he seemed to carry weight, Thus all through merry Islington And there he threw the Wash about At Edmonton his loving wife Her tender husband, wondering much 'Stop, stop, John Gilpin!-Here's the house!' They all at once did cry; 'The dinner waits, and we are tired; '— Said Gilpin 'So am I!' But yet his horse was not a whit For why?-his owner had a house Full ten miles off at Ware. |