Deep draughts drink we right willingly; First rings it deep, and full, and mild, "For its keeper takes a race of might, Kling! klang! — with a harder blow than all As the goblet ringing flies apart, And through the rift the wild flames start; In storms the foe, with fire and sword; On the morrow the butler gropes alone, He seeks in the dismal ruin's fall The shards of the Luck of Edenhall. "The stone wall," saith he, "doth fall aside, Johann Ludwig Uhland. Tr. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Edmonton. THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN, SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE INTENDED, AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN. OHN GILPIN was a citizen JOHN Of credit and renown, A trainband captain eke was he John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, 66 Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we "To-morrow is our wedding-day, Unto the Bell at Edmonton, "My sister, and my sister's child, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride He soon replied, “I do admire And you are she, my dearest dear, "I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Will lend his horse to go." Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said; We will be furnished with our own, John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. The morning came; the chaise was brought, But yet was not allowed To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stayed, Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels; Were never folks so glad! The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside were mad. John Gilpin at his horse's side For saddletree scarce reached had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, 'T was long before the customers Were suited to their mind, When Betty screaming came down stairs, "The wine is left behind!" "Good lack!" quoth he; "yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Each bottle had a curling ear, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, Now see him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones But finding soon a smoother road So, fair and softly, John he cried, |