I'll tell you what happened without delay, Frightening people out of their wits,- Seventeen hundred and fifty-five, It was on the terrible Earthquake-day 8 That the Deacon finished the one-hoss-shay. 17 Now in building of chaises, I tell you what, There is always somewhere a weakest spot,→ In hub, tire, felloe, in spring or thill, In panel, or crossbar, or floor, or sill, In screw, bolt, thoroughbrace,-lurking still, A chaise breaks down, but does n't wear out. 26 But the Deacon swore (as Deacons do, daown; "Fur," said the Deacon, "'t 's mighty plain Thut the weakes' place mus' stan' the strain; 'n' the way t' fix it, uz I maintain, Is only jest T' make that place uz strong uz the rest." So the Deacon inquired of the village folk trees; The panels of whitewood, that cuts like cheese, But lasts like iron for things like these; The hubs of logs from the "Settler's ellum,”— Last of its timber,-they could n't sell 'em, Never an axe had seen their chips, And the wedges flew from between their lips, Step and prop-iron, bolt and screw, dew!" 36 57 Do! I tell you, I rather guess She was a wonder, and nothing less! EIGHTEEN HUNDRED;-it came and found Little of all we value here Wakes on the morn of its hundredth year (This is a moral that runs at large; charge.) FIRST OF NOVEMBER,-the Earthquake day.— There are traces of age in the one-hoss-shay, A general flavor of mild decay, But nothing local as one may say. There could n't be,- for the Deacon's art 64 72 79 That there was n't a chance for one to start. 94 First of November, 'Fifty-five! This morning the parson takes a drive. Now, small boys, get out of the way! Here comes the wonderful one-hoss-shay, Drawn by a rat-tailed, ewe-necked bay. "Huddup!" said the parson.-Off went they. 103 The parson was working his Sunday's text,Had got to fifthly, and stopped perplexed - At what the Moses-was coming next. All at once the horse stood still, All at once, and nothing first, Just as bubbles do when they burst. End of the wonderful one-hoss-shay. 1858. 118 120 Oliver Wendell Holmes. 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, John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, 66 Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we "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, 12 |