Away went Gilpin, and away
Went Gilpin's hat and wig:
He lost them sooner than at first;
For why they were too big.
Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw
Her husband posting down
Into the country far away,
She pull'd out half-a-crown ;
And thus unto the youth she said
That drove them to the Bell: "This shall be yours when you bring back My husband safe and well."
The youth did ride, and soon did meet
John coming back amain,
Whom in a trice he tried to stop,
By catching at his rein.
But not performing what he meant,
And gladly would have done,
The frighted steed he frighted more,
And made him faster run.
Away went Gilpin, and away
Went postboy at his heels;
The postboy's horse right glad to miss
The lumbering of the wheels.
Six gentlemen upon the road
Thus seeing Gilpin fly,
With postboy scampering in the rear,
They raised the hue and cry.
"Stop thief! stop thief! a highwayman !"
Not one of them was mute:
And all and each that pass'd that way
Did join in the pursuit.
And now the turnpike-gates again
Flew open in short space;
The tollmen, thinking as before,
That Gilpin rode a race.
And so he did, and won it too,
For he got first to town;
Nor stopp'd till where he first got up,
He did again get down.
Now let us sing, long live the king,
And Gilpin, long live he;
And when he next doth ride abroad,
May I be there to see!
Too late to rise-too late for school,
Too late to keep by each good rule;
The sluggard soon becomes a fool;
Oh, never be "too late."
Oh, use the precious hours to-day,
To gather knowledge while you may,
For quickly hasteth Time away;
Then never be "too late."
And grateful to your parents be,
For tenderly they've cared for thee,
And soon on earth you may them see
No more and mourn- 66 too late."
And to thy suffering brother-man,
Give aid and comfort while you can,
Aye like the good Samaritan;
Ere yet it be "too late.”
To all, Death hasteth on apace;
Then seek thy heavenly Father's face,
Through life to guide thee by His grace;
Ere yet it be "too late."
CAN he be fair, that withers at a blast?
Or he be strong, that airy breath can cast?
Can he be wise, that knows not how to live?
Or he be rich, that nothing hath to give?
Can he be young, that's feeble, weak, and wan?
So fair, strong, wise-so rich, so young is man.
So fair is man, that death (a parting blast)
Blasts his fair flower, and makes him earth at last;
So strong is man, that with a gasping breath
He totters, and bequeaths his strength to death;
So wise is man, that if with death he strive,
His wisdom cannot teach him how to live;
So rich is man, that (all his debts being paid)
His wealth's the winding-sheet wherein he 's laid;
So young is man, that (broke with care and sorrow)
He's old enough to-day to die to-morrow.
Why bragg'st thou then, thou worm of five foot long?
Thou art neither fair, nor strong, nor wise, nor rich, nor young.
LOSS IN DELAYS.
SHUN delays, they breed remorse;
Take thy time while time is lent thee:
Creeping snails have weakest force;
Fly their fault, lest thou repent thee:
Good is best when soonest wrought;
Lingering labour comes to nought.
sail while gale doth last,
Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure;
Seek not time when time is past,
Sober speed is wisdom's leisure:
After-wits are dearly bought,
Let thy fore-wit guide thy thought.
Time wears all his locks before,
Take thou hold upon his forehead;
When he flies, he turns no more,
And behind his scalp is naked :
Works adjourn'd have many stays,
Long demurs breed new delays.
Seek thy salve while sore is green, Fester'd wounds ask deeper lancing; After-cures are seldom seen,
Often sought, scarce ever chancing: Time and place give best advice; Out of season, out of price.
CONSCIENCE.
My conscience is my crown;
Contented thoughts my rest;
My heart is happy in itself;
My bliss is in my breast.
Enough, I reckon wealth;
A mean, the surest lot;
That lies too nigh for base contempt,
Too low for envy's shot.
My wishes are but few,
All easy to fulfil :
I make the limits of my power
The bounds unto my
I have no hopes but one,
Which is of heavenly reign:
Effects attain'd, or not desired,
All lower hopes refrain.
I feel no care of coin;
Well-doing is my wealth;
My mind to me an empire is,
While grace affordeth health.
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