IV. 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. · V. A querulous old woman's voice VI. Belinda and her bird! 'tis rare, The language and the tone, Each character in ev'ry part Sustain'd with so much grace and art, And bothr in unison. VII. When children first begin to spell, We think them tedious creatures; But difficulties soon abate, When birds are to be taught to prate; And women are the teachers. TRANSLATION OF PRIOR'S CHLOE AND EUPHELIA. I MERCATOR, vigiles oculos ut fallere possit, II. Ad speculum ornabat nitidos Euphelia crines, Cum dixit mea lux, heus, cane, sume lyram. Namque lyram juxtà positam cum carmine vidit, Suave quidem carmen dulcisonamque lyram. III. Fila lyræ vocemque paro, suspiria surgunt, IV. Subrubet illa pudore, et contrabit 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 Of credit and renown, John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, 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 THE HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN. 305 He soon replied, I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, 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; We will be furnish'd with our own, John Gilpin kiss'd 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 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, 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 reach'd had he, When turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, '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, And hung a bottle on each side, |