260 ON LORD MANSFIELD'S LIBRARY. ON THE BURNING OF LORD MANSFIELD'S LIBRARY, TOGETHER WITH HIS MSS. By the Mob, in the Month of June, 1780. So then the Vandals of our isle, And Murray sighs o'er Pope and Swift, Their pages mangled, burn'd, and torn, ON THE SAME. WHEN Wit and Genius meet their doom They tell us of the fate of Rome, And bid us fear the same. O'er Murray's loss the Muses wept, Yet bless'd the guardian care that kept There Memory, like the bee that's fed The lawless herd, with fury blind, ON THE PROMOTION OF EDWARD THURLOW, ESQ. TO THE LORD HIGH CHANCELLORSHIP OF ENGLAND. ROUND Thurlow's head in early youth, Fair Science pour'd the light of truth, See! with united wonder cried The praise bestow'd was just and wise; So the best courser on the plain 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, 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, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, 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, John Gilpin at his horse's side Seized fast the flowing mane, And up he got, in haste to ride, But soon came down again; For saddle-tree scarce reach'd had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, 'Twas long before the customers When Betty screaming came down stairs, Good lack! quoth he-yet bring it me, In which I bear my trusty sword, . When I do exercise. Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat, He manfully did throw. Now see him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, ́. With caution and good heed. |