The Diverting History of John Gilpin   By: William Cowper (1731-1800)

Finely Illustrated]

[Illustration]

THE

DIVERTING HISTORY

OF

John Gilpin.

BY WILLIAM COWPER

Illustrated.

LONDON: WILLIAM TEGG.

1865.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS

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THE DIVERTING 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, Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen.

To morrow is our wedding day, And we will then repair Unto the Bell at Edmonton, All in a chaise and pair.

My sister and my sister's child, Myself and children three, 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, Therefore it shall be done.

I am a linendraper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Will lend his horse to go.

Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said, And for that wine is dear, We will be furnish'd with our own, Which is both bright and clear.

John Gilpin kiss'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 chaise was brought But yet was not allow'd To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud.

So three doors off the chaise was stay'd, 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, Were never folks so glad; The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside were mad.

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John Gilpin at his horse's side Seized last the flowing mane, And up he got in haste to ride, But soon came down again;

For saddle tree scarce reach'd had he, His journey to begin, When, turning round his head, he saw Three customers come in.

So down he came; for loss of time, Although it grieved him sore, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, Would trouble him much more.

'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 Mrs. Gilpin (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found, To hold the liquor that she loved, And keep it safe and sound.

Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, And hung a bottle on each side, 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, 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.

But finding soon another road Beneath his well shod feet, The snorting boast began to trot, Which gall'd him in his seat.

So! fair and softly! John he cried, But John he cried in vain; That trot became a gallop soon, In spite of curb and rein.

So stooping down, as needs he must Who cannot sit upright, He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, And eke with all his might.

His horse, who never in that sort Had handled been before, What thing upon his back had got Did wonder more and more.

Away went Gilpin, neck or nought! Away went hat and wig; He little dreamt, when he set out, Of running such a rig.

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The wind did blow, the cloak did fly Like streamer long and gay; Till loop and button failing both, At last it flew away.

Then might all people well discern The bottles he had slung; A bottle swinging at each side, As has been said or sung.