Whence straight he came with hat and wig, A hat not much the worse for wear, He held them up, and in his turn "2 Said John, "It is my wedding-day, So turning to his horse, he said, "Twas for your pleasure you came here, Ah, luckless speech! ah, bootless boast! Whereat his horse did snort, as he And galloped off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away Went Gilpin's hat and wig; He lost them sooner than at first- 1 Comely, good-looking. fruitless. Case, condition 3 Bootless, useless, Now Mrs. Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting1 down Into the country far away, She pulled out half a crown: And thus unto the youth, she said, "This shall be yours, when you bring back The youth did ride, and soon did meet But not performing what he meant, Away went Gilpin, and away 4 Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's horse right glad to miss Six gentlemen upon the road Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy scampering in the rear, They raised the hue and cry:6 "Stop thief! stop thief! a highwayman !"7 And all and each that passed that way— 2 4 Posting, travelling in haste. Amain, furiously, with all his might. 3 Trice, in an instant, in a short space of time. Postboy, a boy that drives a post-chaise. 5 Lumbering, noise, rattle. Hue and cry, the pursuit of an offender with loud cries to give an alarm. 7 Highwayman, one who robs on the public road. Mute, silent. 8 And now the turnpike gates again And so he did, and won it too, For he got first to town; Nor stopped till where he had got up, Now let us sing, long live the king, And, when he next doth ride abroad, THE COUNTRY PASTOR.2-Goldsmith. NEAR yonder copse,3 where once a garden smiled, Nor e'er had changed, nor wished to change, his place; By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour; 10 He chid " their wanderings, but relieved their pain : 6 3 From "The Deserted Village." 2 Pastor, clergyman. Copse, a wood of small growth. Disclose, show, mark, betray. 5 Mansion, house. Passing, exceedingly. 7 Remote, distant. 8 Fawn, to court favour. Bent, inclined, intent. 10 Vagrant, wandering houseless. 11 Chid, reproved, rebuked. The ruined spendthrift,1 now no longer proud, Claimed kindred 2 there, and had his claims allowed; The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay, Sat by his fire, and talked the night away; Wept o'er his wounds, or, tales of sorrow done, 4 DEATH'S FINAL CONQUEST.-Shirley. THE glories of our blood and state 5 Must tumble down, And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade. Early or late, They stoop to fate, And must give up their murmuring breath, Spendthrift, one who wastes money, one who spends freely or foolishly. 2 Kindred, relationship. 3 Scan, to examine carefully, to scrutinize. 4 This poem was written about the beginning of the 17th century. Blood and state, high birth and actual rank. Where they kill, obtain honour by conquering in battle. They tame, etc., but cannot tame the great conqueror-Death. The garlands wither on your brow: Then boast no more your mighty deeds! To the cold tomb; Only the actions of the just Smell sweet, and blossom in their dust. THE OLIVE-TREE.-Baring-Gould. Then he took a tender sapling, But he thought-the rain it needeth "Lord, I ask for beams of summer, 6 Then the dripping clouds divided, And the sun looked down and smiled. 1 Victor-victim, once the victor, now the conquered-the victim. 2 Olive-tree, a tree growing in the countries around the Mediterranean, cultivated for the sake of its oil. 8 Hermit, a person who lives in solitude for the purpose of devotion and contemplation. 4 Sapling, a young tree. 5 Benison, blessing. 6 Cherishing, nourishing, warming, promoting the growth. |