The Diverting History of John Gilpin
One of R. Caldecott’s Picture Books
1878
[Illustration: The Diverting History of John Gilpin]
[Illustration]
==The diverting history of John Gilpin:==
Showing how he went farther than he intended, and came safe home again.
[Illustration: Written by William Cowper with drawings by R. Caldecott.]
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
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 chaise
and pair.
“My sister, and my sister’s
child,
Myself, and children
three,
Will fill the chaise; so you
must ride
On horseback after
we.”
[Illustration: The Linendraper
bold]
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 Mrs. Gilpin, “That’s
well said;
And for that wine
is dear,
We will be furnished with
our own,
Which is both
bright and clear.”
John Gilpin kissed his loving
wife.
O’erjoyed
was he to find.
That though on pleasure she
was bent,
She had a frugal
mind.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
The morning came, the chaise
was brought,
But yet was not
allowed
To drive up to the door, lest
all
Should say that
she was proud.
So three doors off 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 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 saddletree scarce reached
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.
[Illustration: The 3 Customers]