Whence straight he came, with hat and wig, A wig that flowed behind d; A hat not much the worse for wear, Each comely in its kind. He held them up, and in his turn "But let me scrape the dust away, Said John, "It is my wedding-day, So, turning to his horse, he said, "I am in haste to dine; "T was for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine." Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast! Whereat his horse did snort, as he And gallop'd off with all his might, And thus unto the youth she said, "This shall be yours, when you bring back My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon did meet By catching at his rein; But not performing what he meant, Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's horse right glad to miss Six gentlemen upon the road Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy scampering in the rear, They rais'd a 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 : And so he did, and won it too Nor stopp'd till where he had got up 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. -William Couper. THE SPIDER AND THE FLY. "WILL you walk into my parlor ?" That ever you did spy. The way into my parlor Is up a winding stair, For who goes up your winding stair, Will you rest upon my little bed?" Said the spider to the fly. "There are pretty curtains drawn around, The sheets are fine and thin; And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in." "Oh no, no!" said the little fly, "For I've often heard it said, They never, never wake again, Who sleep upon your bed." Said the cunning spider to the fly, Good store of all that's nice ; Will you please to take a slice?"? "Oh no, no!" said the little fly, "Kind sir, that cannot be ; I've heard what's in your pantry, And I do not wish to see." "Sweet creature," said the spider, Upon my parlor shelf; If you'll step in one moment, dear. You shall behold yourself." |