Standing on what too long we bore A path to higher destinies. Nor deem the irrevocable Past H. W. LONGFELLOW. THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN; SHEWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE INTENDED, AND JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown, * A trainband 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 * Eke also. He soon replied—“I do admire And you are she, my dearest dear, "I am a linendraper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Will lend his horse to go." Quoth mistress Gilpin "That's well said; John Gilpin kiss'd 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 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 For saddletree 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 brush'd and neat, Now see him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, With caution and good heed. K But finding soon a smoother road So, "fair and softly," John he cried, So stooping down, as needs he must He grasp'd 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 naught; He little dreamt, when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern A bottle swinging at each side, The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, Up flew the windows all; And every soul cried out, "Well done!" As loud as he could bawl. Away went Gilpin-who but he? "He carries weight!" "he rides a race!" ""Tis for a thousand pound!" And still, as fast as he drew near, 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 seem'd 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 |