John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band Captain eke was he Of famous London town.
John Gilpin’s spouse said to her dear, Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen.
To-morrow is our wedding-day, And we will then repair Unto the Bell at Edmonton, All in a chaise and pair.
My sister and my sister’s child, Myself, and children three, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride On horseback after we.
He soon replied,—I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, Therefore it shall be done.
I am a linendraper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend, the Callender, Will lend his horse to go.
Quoth Mistress Gilpin,—That’s well said; And for that wine is dear, We will be furnish’d with our own, Which is both bright and clear.
John Gilpin kiss’d his loving wife; O’erjoy’d was he to find That though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind.
The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allow’d To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud.
So three doors off the chaise was stay’d, Where they did all get in, Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin.