John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen, To-morrow is our wedding-day, And we will then repair Unto the Bell at Edmonton All in a chaife and pair. My fifter and my fifter's child, Will fill the chaife, fo you must ride He foon replied, I do admire And you are fhe, my deareft dear, I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the Callender Will lend his horfe to go. Quoth Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well faid; And for that wine is dear, We will be furnish'd with our own, Which is both bright and clear. John Gilpin kifs'd his loving wife; O'erjoy'd was he to find That, though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaife was brought, But yet was not allow'd To drive up to the door, left all Should fay that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stay'd, Six precious fouls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folk fo glad, The ftones did rattle underneath As if Cheapfide were mad. John Gilpin at his horfe's fide Seiz'd faft the flowing mane, And up he got in hafte to ride, For faddle-tree fcarce reach'd had he, His journey to begin, When, turning round his head, he saw Three cuftomers come in. So down he came; for lofs of time, Would trouble him much more. 'Twas 'Twas long before the customers Were fuited 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 When I do exercise. Now Mistress Gilpin, careful foul! To hold the liquor that she lov'd, Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, And hung a bottle on each fide, To make his balance true. Then |