Can wear it e'en as gracefully as she. So glide my life away! and so at last, Beneath the turf that I have often trod. It shall not grieve me, then, that once, when called To dress a Sofa with the flowers of verse, I played awhile, obedient to the fair, With that light task, but soon to please her more, But all is in His hand whose praise I seek. To charm His ear, whose eye is on the heart; THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN; SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE INTENDED, AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, 'Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we "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, Therefore it shall be done. "I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the Calender Quoth Mistress Gilpin, "That's well said; We will be furnished with our own, Which is both bright and clear." 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, 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, 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, In which I bear my trusty sword, Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) To hold the liquor that she loved, Each bottle had a curling ear, And hung a bottle on each side, |