GEMS FOR THE YOUNG FROM COWPER, CAMBPELL AND Other Poets EDITED BY ROSA MULHOLLAND DUBLIN M. H. GILL & SON 1884 JOHN GILPIN. W. COWPER. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, 66 These twice ten tedious years, yet we "My sister and my sister's child, 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, Quoth Mistress Gilpin, "That's well said; We will be furnish'd with our own, Which is both bright and clear." ! 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 stay'd, 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. John Gilpin, at his horse's side, For saddle-tree scarce reach'd 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!" |