But still he seem'd to carry weight, Thus all through merry Islington And there he threw the Wash about On both sides of the way, Just like unto a trundling mop, Or a wild goose at play.' At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony 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 tir'd: Said Gilpin-So am I ! But yet his horse was not a whit Inclin❜d to tarry there ; For why? his owner had a house So like an arrow swift he flew, So he did fly, which brings me to. Away went Gilpin out of breath, The calender, amaz'd to see His neighbour in such trim, What news? what news? your tidings tell; Tell me you must and shall— Say why bare-headed you are come, Or why you come at all. Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, And thus unto the calender I came because your horse would come; My hat and wig will soon be here The calender, right glad to find His friend in merry pin, Return'd him not a single word, But to the house went in. When straight he came with hat and wig ; A wig that flow'd behind, A hat not much the worse for wear, He held them up, and in his turn But let me scrape the dirt away Said John-it is my wedding-day, So, turning to his horse, he said- 'Twas for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine. Ah, luckless speech and bootless boast ! Whereat his horse did snort, as he And gallop'd off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away For why they were too big ! Now, Mrs. Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the country far away, She pull'd 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 John coming back amain; Whom in a trice he tried to stop By catching at his rein; But, not performing what he meant, And made him faster run. Away went Gilpin, and away Went post-boy at his heels! The post-boy's horse right glad to miss The lumbering of the wheels. Six gentlemen upon the road, Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With post-boy scampering in the rear, ANNUAL BILL OF MORTALITY. · Stop thief! stop thief!-a highwayman! Not one of them was mute; And all and each that pass'd that way Did join in the pursuit. And now the turnpike gates again That Gilpin rode a race. And so he did-and wen it too! For he got first to town; Nor stopp'd till where he had got up He did again get down. Now let us sing-long live the king, And Gilpin, long live he; And, when he next doth ride abroad, VERSES 215 ON THE YEARLY BILL OF MORTALITY IN THE TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON, FOR THE YEAR 1790. Ne commonentem recta sperne. BUCHANNAN. Despise not my good counsel. HE who sits from day to day VOL. 1. |