IN SUBMERSIONEM NAVIGII CUI GEORGIUS [Written 1782. Published by Hayley, 1803.] Navis innitens lateri jacebat, Plangimus fortes--nimis, heu, caducam Magne, qui nomen licet incanorum Non hyems illos furibunda mersit, Navitæ sed tum nimium jocosi Et quiescebat, calamoque dextram im- Vos quibus cordi est grave opus piumque, Et putrescentes sub aquis amicos Hi quidem (sic Dis placuit) fuere ; 19 Fissa non Hayley, to mend the metre. 8 16 24 32 THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN, SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE JOHN GILPIN was a citizen A train-band captain eke was he 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 8 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 linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Quoth Mrs. Gilpin-That's well said; 16 24 We will be furnish'd with our own, John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, 32 She had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaise was brought, To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stay'd, Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin ! 40 Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folk so glad, The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside were mad. John Gilpin at his horse's side For saddle-tree scarce reach'd had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, 'Twas long before the customers When Betty screaming came down stairs- Good lack quoth he--yet bring it me, In which I bear my trusty sword Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul !) To hold the liquor that she lov'd, Each bottle had a curling ear, Then, over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat, He manfully did throw. 48 59 56 64 72 Now see him mounted once again So stooping down, as needs he must Who cannot sit upright, He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, His horse, who never in that sort What thing upon his back had got Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; He little dreamt, when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Till, loop and button failing both, Then might all people well discern 104 A bottle swinging at each side, The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, Up flew the windows all; And ev'ry soul cried out-Well done! 112 As loud as he could bawl. Away went Gilpin-who but he? And still, as fast as he drew near, How in a trice the turnpike-men 120 And now, as he went bowing down The bottles twain behind his back Were shatter'd at a blow. Down ran the wine into the road, Most piteous to be seen, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke. As they had basted been. 128 But still he seem'd to carry weight, Thus all through merry Islington Of Edmonton so gay. 136 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, wond'ring much To see how he did ride. 144 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 did he fly-which brings me to Away went Gilpin, out of breath, Till at his friend the calender's The calender, amaz'd to see His neighbour in such trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, And thus accosted him : 152 160 |