Poll gains at length the British shore, Belinda's maids are soon preferred, Sweet Poll! his doating mistress cries, At first he aims at what he hears; And, list'ning close with both his ears, Just catches at the sound; But soon articulates aloud, Much to the amusement of the crowd, And stuns the neighbours round. A querulous old woman's voice Belinda and her bird! 'tis rare 502 TRANSLATION OF CHLOE AND EUPHELIA. Each character in every part, When children first begin to spell, We think them tedious creatures: TRANSLATION OF PRIOR'S CHLOE AND EUPHELIA. MERCATOR, vigiles oculos ut fallere possit, Ad speculum ornabat nitidos Euphelia crines, Cum dixit mea lux, Heus, cane, sume lyram. Namque lyram juxta positam cum carmine vidit, Suave quidem carmen dulcisonamque lyram. Fila lyræ vocemque paro, suspiria surgunt, Subrubet illa pudore, et contrahit altera frontem, THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN; Showing how he went farther than he intended, and came safe home again. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen A train-band captain eke was he John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, To-morrow is our wedding..day, All in a chaise and pair. My sister and my sister's child, He soon replied, I do admire 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 calender Will lend his horse to go. Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; 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. The stones did rattle underneath, 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, 'Twas 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, 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 Equipped from top to toe, His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, He manfully did throw. |