Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-01-06
/ oetru.
The Divertine History of John Gilpin,

The Diverting History Of John 0ilpiu
SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN
HE INTENDED. AND CAME SAFE
HOME AGAIN.
JoHN GILPIN was a citizen
OF credit and renown.
train-band Captain exc was he
OF famous London town.
John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear
Though welded we have been
These twice ten tedions years, yet we
No holiday have seen.
Tomorrow is our wedding day,
And we will then repair
Unto the Bell at Edmonton,
All in a chaise and pair
MY sister and nv sisters child.
Myself and children three.
Will Ill the chaise, so you must ride
! ON horseback AFTER We
He soon replicd-"I do admire
OF womankind but one.
And you are she. my dearest dear
! Therefore it shall be done.
II am linen draper bold,
As all the world doth know.
And my good friend the Calender
| Will lend his horse to go"
/ uuoih Mrs Gilpin.-"That's well said.
And for that wine is dear.
| We will be furnished with our own,
/ Which j. both bright and clear
John Gilpin ki>~'d his loving wife.
o'crjoycd was he to find
] That thou.h on pleasure She was bent.
| She had frugal mind.
/ The mor.,in. came. the chaise was brought
But vet was not allow'd
| To drive up 10 the door, lest all
/ Should say that she was proud
So three doors of the chaise was stayed.
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 wheel
Were never folks - glad.
The stones did rattle underneath
A. If Chcap>idc were mad
John Gilpin at his horse, side
Seized fast the flowing name,
And up he got in haste TO ride.
But soon came down again.
For >addlc-trcc scarce rcach'd had he,
li> journey to beoin.
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.
" ould trouble him much more.
Twas long before the customers
Were suited 10 their mind.
When Betty screaming came downstairs,
The wine i len behind"
Good lack" :" quoth he. yet bring ii me,
My lrathern belt likewise.
In which bear my trusty sword
" Whcn do exercise
Now Mistress Gilpln. careful soul.
Had two stone bottles found.
To hold the liquor that she loved,
And keep IL safe and sound.
Each bottle had curling ear,
Through which the belt he drew.
And hung bottle on each side.
To make his balance true.
Then over all. that he might be
Equipped from top 10 toe.
II long red CLOAK, well brush'd and neat.
lie manfully did throw.
Now see him mounted once again
Upon his nimble steed
Full slowly pacing DER the stones
With caution and good heed.
But finding soon a smoother road
Beneath his well-shod feet.
The >norting beast began to trot
Which CALLED him in his scat.
So. Fair and softly" John he cried.
But John he cried in vain,
That trot became gallop soon
In spite Of curb and rein.
SO STOPPING down, as needs he must
Who cannot sit upright.
He grasped the name with both his hands
And exc with all his might
His horse, who never in that sort
Had handled been before,
What thing npon hi, back had got
Did wonder more and more.
Away went Gilpin. neck or naught
Away went hat and wig,
He little dreamt when he set out
or running such a rig.
| The wind did blow. the cloak did fiy.
! Like streamer long and gay.
| Till loop and button falling both.
| AT last it flew away.
Then might all people well discern
The bottles he had slung.
A bottle swinging at each side.
| As hath been said or sung.
The dogs did bark, the children screamed
Up flew the windows all,
And every soul cried out, We'll 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.
lis for thousand pound.
And still, as fast as he drew near.
Twas wonderful TO view
How in trice the turnpike-men
Their gates wide open threw.
And now a he went bowling down
His reeking head full low,
The bottles twain behind his back
Were shattered at blow.
Down ran the wine into the road
Most piteous to be seen,
Which made his horses TANKS to smoke
As they had basted been.
But still he seemed to carry weight,