To this day they dwell Nor fear the wolvish howl, Nor the lions' growl. W. Blake * IO * JOHN GILPIN JOHN Gilpin was a citizen John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, 'To-morrow is our wedding-day, 'My sister and my sister's child, He soon replied, 'I do admire 'Of womankind but one, 'And you are she, my dearest dear, 'Therefore it shall be done. 3 train-band, militia '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, She had a frugal mind. 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 23 Calender, cloth-dresser 44 a street in London C So down he came; for loss of time 'Twas long before the customers When Betty, screaming, came downstairs, '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, But finding soon a smoother road 64 as a soldier 74 equipp'd, dressed out 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 Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; He little dreamt, when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern As hath been said or sung. The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, Up flew the windows all; And every soul cried out--' Well done!' Away went Gilpin-who but he? 92 eke, also 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, With leathern girdle braced; Thus all through merry Islington Of Edmonton so gay; And there he threw the Wash about At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcóny spied Her tender husband, wondering much To see how he did ride. 'Stop, stop, John Gilpin !—Here's the house' They all at once did cry; 'The dinner waits, and we are tired;' Said Gilpin, 'So am I !' 119 trice, moment 122 reeking, steaming 128 with gravy |