But let me fcrape the dirt away That hangs upon your face; And ftop and eat, for well you may Be in a hungry cafe. Said John, It is my wedding-day, And all the world would ftare, If wife fhould dine at Edmonton So turning to his horfe, he faid, Twas for your pleasure you came here, · Ah lucklefs fpeech, and bootlefs boast! For while he spake, a braying ass Did fing most loud and clear; Whereat his horse did fnort as he Had heard a lion roar, And gallop'd off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away Went Gilpin's hat and wig; He He loft them fooner than at first, For why? they were too big. Now, Miftrefs 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 fhe faid That drove them to the Bell, This fhall be your's when you bring back The youth did ride, and foon did meet But not performing what he meant, Away went Gilpin, and away Went Poft-boy at his heels, The Poft-boy's horse right glad to miss The lumb'ring of the wheels. Six Six gentlemen upon the road Thus feeing Gilpin fly, With Poft-boy scamp'ring in the rear, Stop thief! ftop thief-a highwayman! Not one of them was mute; And all and each that pafs'd that way And now the turnpike gates again Flew open in short space, That Gilpin rode a race. And fo he did, and won it too, OTHE 1781 Nor ftopp'd 'till where he had got up Now let us fing, long live the king, And when he next doth ride abroad, DLE EIAN FINI S. |