"He's broke his neck!" away it flew,

More fast than Gilpin rode,

"He's broke his neck!"

Was echo'd by the crowd.

"Oh! wretched fate"

Good Mrs. Gilpin scream'd aloud,

Her sister did likewise,

The children caught the infection soon

And warbled out their cries.

"Drive faster," Mrs. Gilpin cried
"Good William drive away,
My fate is very hard indeed
"Upon my wedding-day."

For doubts fill'd Mrs. Gilpin's breast,
The truth was not display'd,
Because the rabble as they pass'd,

Still laugh'd at what they said.

"Drive faster William, let us get "Into Cheapside again,

“Where all my doubts will be reliev'd.” He whipp'd his steeds amain.

Swift as the swallow cuts the skies
The nimble wheels went round-
Crack-went the axletree at once-
The chaise came to the ground.

There Mrs. Gilpin sprawling lay,-
Her sister close beside,-

Daughters and cousins tumbling out
How piteously they cried.

D

The provender was all display'd

A woeful sight to see,

Here apple tarts and custards lay
To dust and dirt a prey.

Their flounces and their furbelows
Were greas'd and stain'd all o'er,
Sure such a scene of deep distress
Was never seen before.

Like sow and pigs they roll'd about
Till some good folks came by,
Who help'd them up and soon found out,
No harm had come thereby.

No harm apparently was seen,
Except their garments soil'd;
No harm but to the provender
Which certainly was spoil'd.

No limb was broke-no bruise-nor scratch On any one was found;

And all that had so frighten'd them

Was tumbling to the ground.

The chaise it wanted much repair,
Which could not then be done,
Therefore, their chief and only care
Was how to get to town.

For Mrs. Gilpin was not fram'd
To walk at any rate,
She was so very corpulent,
And waddl'd in her gait.

But as pursuing of their way,

As fast as e'er they could,

They were surpris'd with joy to meet

John Gilpin on the road.

He took the road to Edmonton,
As he had done before,
Fully determin'd in his mind

To mount a horse no more.

He thought, and he most rightly thought,

That his wife would come,

way

And he should have the happiness
To see his deary home.

But did not think to meet her so,
Yet glad it was no worse,
Because she was not half so hurt,
As he was by his horse.

How glad were this fond pair to meet

Can hardly be exprest,

To find he had not broke his neck,
Gave rapture to her breast.

To find his wife had had a fall,

And yet no hurt receiv'd,

Was joy and transport to his mind
By all may be believ'd.

"my darling," and "my dear,"

From either party broke,

And sweet salutes were given each
At every word they spoke.

Another chaise had now arriv'd
In which they roll'd away,
And only wish'd to make once more,
Another holiday.

END OF PART II.

THE ADVENTURES

OF THE

CELEBRATED LONDON LINEN-DRAPER, JOHN GILPIN & FAMILY.

PART III.

THE INCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH THE EXCURSION

BY WATER OF THE GILPIN FAMILY TO THE

ROYAL GARDENS AT VAUXHALL.

Most folks have heard of Gilpin's fame,

And of the race he won,

When he on horseback did set out

All unto Edmonton.

And never since that luckless time

Which caus'd him such dismay,

Had he and spouse for three whole years

Enjoy'd a holiday.

The main chance minding still at home

On business quite intent,

He made amends, there is no doubt,

For what that day was spent.