GEMS FOR THE YOUNG

FROM

COWPER, CAMBPELL

AND

Other Poets

EDITED BY

ROSA MULHOLLAND

DUBLIN

M. H. GILL & SON
50 UPPER SACKVILLE STREET

1884

JOHN GILPIN.

W. COWPER.

JOHN GILPIN was a citizen
Of credit and renown,
A train-band captain eke was he
Of famous London Town.

John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear,
Though wedded we have been

66

These twice ten tedious years, yet we
No holiday have seen.

"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,
Therefore it shall be done.

"I am a linendraper bold,

As all the world doth know,

And my good friend, the Calender,
Will lend his horse to go."

Quoth Mistress Gilpin, "That's well said;
And, for that wine is dear,

We will be furnish'd 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,
But yet was not allow'd

To drive up to the door, lest all
Should say that she was proud.

So three doors off the chaise was stay'd,
Where they did all get in,

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,
Seized fast the flowing mane,
And up he got, in haste to ride,
But soon came down again;

For saddle-tree scarce reach'd had he,
His journey to begin,

When, turning round his head, he saw
Three customers come in.

So down he came; for loss of time
Although it grieved him sore,
Yet loss of pence, full well he knew
Would trouble him much more.

'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind,

When Betty, screaming, came down stairs, "The wine is left behind!"