"But let me scrape the dirt away Said John-" It is my wedding day, So turning to his horse, he said, "Twas for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine." 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 Went Gilpin's hat and wig; Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the country far away, She pull'd out half a crown; And thus unto the youth she said "This shall be yours when you bring back My husband safe and well." the dirt away your face; rwell you may se." ay wedding day, se, he said, dine, ode re you came here, for mine." nd bootless boast! urs when you bring back The youth did ride, and soon did meet But not performing what he meant, Away went Gilpin, and away The post-boy's horse right glad to miss Six gentlemen upon the road With post-boy scampering in the rear, "Stop thief! stop thief!—a highwayman!" Not one of them was mute, Did join in the pursuit. And now the turnpike gates again That Gilpin rode a race. And so he did, and won it too, Nor stopp'd 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, COWPER. THE BATTLE OF BLENHEIM. It was a summer evening, Old Kaspar's work was done, And by him sported on the green She saw her brother Peterkin He came to ask what he had found, Old Kaspar took it from the boy, Who stood expectant by; And then the old man shook his head, ""Tis some poor fellow's skull," said he, "I find them in the garden, For there's many hereabout; "Now tell us what 'twas all about," |