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Read Ebook: The Diverting History of John Gilpin Showing How He Went Farther Than He Intended and Came Safe Home Again by Cowper William Caldecott Randolph Illustrator

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Said John, "It is my wedding-day, And all the world would stare If wife should dine at Edmonton, And I should dine at Ware."

So turning to his horse, he said "I am in haste to dine; 'Twas for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine."

Ah! luckless speech, and bootless boast! For which he paid full dear; For while he spake, a braying ass Did sing most loud and clear;

Whereat his horse did snort, as he Had heard a lion roar, And galloped off with all his might, As he had done before.

Away went Gilpin, and away Went Gilpin's hat and wig; He lost them sooner than at first, For why?--they were too big.

Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the country far away, She pulled out half-a-crown;

And thus unto the youth she said That drove them to the "Bell," "This shall be yours when you bring back My husband safe and well."

But not performing what he meant, And gladly would have done, The frighted steed he frighted more, And made him faster run.

Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's horse right glad to miss The lumbering of the wheels.

Six gentlemen upon the road, Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy scampering in the rear. They raised the hue and cry.

"Stop thief! stop thief! a highwayman!'" Not one of them was mute; And all and each that passed that way Did join in the pursuit.

And now the turnpike-gates again Flew open in short space; The toll-man thinking, as before, That Gilpin rode a race.

And so he did, and won it too, For he got first to town; Nor stopped till where he had got up, He did again get down.

Now let us sing, Long live the King, And Gilpin, long live he; And when he next doth ride abroad. May I be there to see.

Randolph Caldecott's

Picture Books

"The humour of Randolph Caldecott's drawings is simply irresistible, no healthy-minded man, woman, or child could look at them without laughing."

R. Caldecott's Collection of Pictures and Songs No. 1 R. Caldecott's Collection of Pictures and Songs No. 2