"But let me scrape the dirt away Said John, “It is my wedding-day, And all the world would stare, If wife should dine at Edmonton, And I should dine at Ware." So turning to his horse, he said, "I am in haste to dine; 'Twas for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine." Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast! For, while he spake, a braying ass Did sing most loud and clear; 190 195 200 Whereat his horse did snort, as he 205 Had heard a lion roar, And galloped off with all his might, As he had done before. Away went Gilpin, and away Went Gilpin's hat and wig: 210 He lost them sooner than at first; Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the country far away, She pulled out half-a-crown; 215 And thus unto the youth she said "This shall be yours, when you bring back My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon did meet John coming back amain: Whom in a trice he tried to stop, By catching at his rein; 220 "Stop thief! stop thief!-a highwayman!" Not one of them was mute; And all and each that passed that way Did join in the pursuit. 240 And so he did, and won it too, For he got first to town; Nor stopped till where he had got up 245 Now let us sing, Long live the king! YE Nymphs! if e'er your eyes were red Her favourite, even in his cage, (What will not hunger's cruel rage?) Assassined by a thief! Where Rhenus strays his vines among And though by nature mute, Or only with a whistle blessed, Well-taught, he all the sounds expressed The honours of his ebon poll Were brighter than the sleekest mole, His bosom of the hue With which Aurora decks the skies, Above, below, in all the house, Well latticed, but the grate, alas! For Bully's plumage sake, But smooth with wands from Ouse's side, Night veiled the pole; all seemed secure ; Subsistence to provide, A beast forth sallied on the scout, 20 25 30 Long backed, long tailed, with whiskered snout, 35 And badger-coloured hide. He, entering at the study door, Its ample area 'gan explore; And something in the wind Conjectured, sniffing round and round, Food chiefly for the mind. Just then, by adverse fate impressed, In sleep he seemed to view A rat fast clinging to the cage, Awoke and found it true. 40 45 For, aided both by ear and scent, Minute the horrors that ensued ; His teeth were strong, the cage was wood,— Oh, had he made that too his prey! Of such mellifluous tone, Might have repaid him well, I wote, For silencing so sweet a throat, 50 55 60 65 A TALE. THERE is a field through which I often pass, |