William Cowper John Gilpin's Ride JOHN GILPIN was a citizen John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear: "Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen. "To-morrow is our wedding-day, "My sister, and my sister's child, Myself, and children three, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride On horseback after we." He soon replied: "I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, "I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Will lend his horse to go." Quoth Mrs. Gilpin: "That's well said; We will be furnished with our own, Which is both bright and clear." John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; O'erjoyed was he to find, 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 So down he came; for loss of time, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, '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!) To hold the liquor that she loved, 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 66 So, fair and softly!" John he cried, But John he cried in vain; That trot became a gallop soon, In spite of curb and rein. So stooping down, as needs he must Who cannot sit upright, He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, And eke with all his might. His horse, who never in that sort What thing upon his back had got '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 A bottle swinging at each side, 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!" As loud as he could bawl. Away went Gilpin-who but he? His fame soon spread around, "He carries weight! He rides a race! 'Tis for a thousand pound!" |