And there he threw the Wash about At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied "Stop, stop, John Gilpin!—here's the house," They all at once did cry; "The dinner waits, and we are tired : Said Gilpin " So am I!" But yet his horse was not a whit For why ?-his owner had a house So like an arrow swift he flew, Away went Gilpin out of breath, The Callender, amazed to see His neighbour in such trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, "What news? what news? your tidings tell ; Tell me you must and shall Say why bareheaded you are come, Or why you come at all?" Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, And thus unto the Callender In merry guise he spoke : "I came because your horse would come, And, if I well forbode, My hat and wig will soon be here, The calender, right glad to find Whence straight he came with hat and wig; He held them up, and in his turn But let me scrape the dirt away That hangs upon your face; Said John, "It is my wedding day, So turning to his horse, he said, Ah luckless speech, and bootless boast! For, while he spake, a braying ass Whereat his horse did snort, as he And gallop'd off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away Now mistress Gilpin, when she saw Into the country far away, She pulled out half a crown; And thus unto the youth she said, The youth did ride, and soon did meet But not performing what he meant, Away went Gilpin, and away The postboy's horse right glad to miss Six gentlemen upon the road, With postboy scampering in the rear, Stop thief! stop thief! a highwayman! And now the turnpike gates again The toll-men thinking as before, That Gilpin rode a race. And so he did, and won it too, Now let us sing, long live the king, And when he next doth ride abroad, 5. HUMAN FRAILTY. Weak and irresolute is man, The bow well bent and smart the spring, But passion rudely snaps the string, Some foe to his upright intent Virtue engages his assent, But pleasure wins his heart. 'Tis here the folly of the wise Through all his art we view, Bound on a voyage of awful length, But oars alone can ne'er prevail 6. ALEXANDER SELKIRK. I am monarch of all I survey; My right there is none to dispute; From the centre all round to the sea, I am lord of the fowl and the brute. O Solitude, where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms Than reign in this horrible place. I ain out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone, Society, friendship, and love, Divinely bestow'd upon man, Oh, had I the wings of a dove, How soon would I taste you again! My sorrows I then might assuage In the ways of religion and truth, Might learn from the wisdom of age And be cheer'd by the sallies of youth. Religion! what treasure untold Resides in that heavenly word! More precious than silver and gold Or all that this world can afford. But the sound of the church-going bell These valleys and rocks never heard, Never sigh'd at the sound of a knell, Or smil'd when a sabbath appear'd. Ye winds that have made me your sport, Convey to this desolate shore Some cordial endearing report Of a land I shall visit no more. My friends, do they now and then send Oh tell me I yet have a friend, Though a friend I am never to sec. |