15

His very words,-my own boy's words,-oh, tell me
every one :

You little know how dear to his old mother is my son."

"Through Havelock's* fights and marches the 90th
were there,

In all the gallant 90th did, your Robert had his share :
Twice he went into Lucknow,* untouched by steel or ball;
And you may bless your God, old dame, that brought
him safe through all.”

"Oh, thanks unto the living God that heard his
mother's prayer,

The widow's cry that rose on high her only son to spare!
Oh, blessed be God, that turned from him the sword
and shot away!

20 And what to his old mother did my darling bid you say?"
"Mother, he saved his colonel's life, and bravely it was
done;

In the despatch* they told it all, and named and praised

your son;

*

A medal and a pension's his, good luck to him I say,
And he has not a comrade but will wish him well to-day."

а

25 "Now, soldier, blessings on your tongue! O husband!

that you

knew

How well our boy pays me this day for all I have gone
through,-

All I have done and borne for him the long years since
you're dead!

But, soldier, tell me how he looked, and all my Robert
said."

"He's bronzed and tanned and bearded, and you'd
hardly know him, dame;

30 We've made your boy into a man, but still his heart's

the same:

For often, dame, his talk's of you, and always to one tone;
But there! his ship is nearly home, and he'll be with
you soon."

"Oh, is he really coming home, and shall I really see
My boy again, my own boy home-and when, when will
it be?

35 Did you say soon?" "Well, he is home-keep cool, old
dame-he's here!"

"O Robert! my own blessed boy!" "O mother, mother
dear!"

а

were shut up here in building called the Re

sidency, and

surrounded by the muti

neers. After

they had suffered many great

and hardships,

they were re

lieved first by Havelock, on the 23d of

September, and finally, by Sir Colin Campbell, on the 17th of November. Despatch, the account of the battle

sent by the

commander to headquar

ters.

A pension, a yearly sum of

money paid,
on certain

conditions,
to retired
soldiers and
others who

have served

the state. He's bronzed,

the heat of

the sun had caused his

skin to turn

brown.

JOHN GILPIN.-Cowper.

WILLIAM COWPER (1731-1800), the most popular poet of his day, was born in Hertfordshire. He suffered during the greater part of his life from fits of insanity. Chief poems: The Task, Table-Talk, John Gilpin, &c.

Trainband, a com-
pany of militia or
men trained to act
as soldiers. The
trainbands of London
were mostlycomposed
of apprentices.
Eke, also, besides.
Spouse, a husband or
wife.

Tedious, long, tire-
some, wearisome.
Repair, to go to a
place.

Edmonton, a village to the north of London, where there is an inn with the sign of a Bell,

Chaise, a light twowheeled carriage.

Here is no doubt. meant a carriage with four wheels, drawn by two or more horses, and used for the conveyance of people from one post or place to another.

After we is used for the sake of the rhyme, instead of after us.

Calender or Calen

derer, a cloth finisher.

Quoth, said,

Frugal, sparing, careful.

She had a frugal * mind.

The morning came, the chaise was brought,

But yet was not allowed

To drive up to the door, lest all

35

Should say that she was proud.

40

So three doors off the chaise was stayed,
Where they did all get in ;

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.

45 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.

70

Each bottle had a curling ear,
Through which the belt he drew,
And hung a bottle on each side,
To make his balance true.

Then over all, that he might be
Equipped from top to toe,

75 His long red cloak, well brushed and neat,

He manfully did throw.

Agog, very eager, wishing very much, excited.

Cheapside, one of the chief streets of the city of London, long famous for its silkmercers, linen-drapers, and hosiers.

Saddle-tree, the frame of a saddle.

Grieved him sore, caused him to be very

sorry indeed,

Good lack! or good lady! an exclamation of wonder, surprise, or admiration. When I do exercise, when he attended at drill with his company of militia.

Equipped, furnished, fitted out.

145 "Stop, stop, John Gilpin !—Here's the house!"

150

They all at once did cry ;

"The dinner waits, and we are tired;"
Said Gilpin "So am I!"

But yet his horse was not a whit *
Inclined to tarry there;

For why? His owner had a house
Full ten miles off, at Ware.*

So like an arrow swift he flew,
Shot by an archer strong;

155 So did he fly-which brings me to
The middle of my song.

Trice, a short time,
an instant.
Turnpike men, the
toll-keepers. A turn-
pike is a gate put
across a road to stop
those who have to
pay toll.
Reeking, steaming.
Twain, two.

Piteous, causing pity.

Baste, to pour fat over meat whilst roasting.

Braced, fastened.

Islington, one of the northern suburbs of London. It now forms a part of the town.

Balcony, a kind of
small gallery outside

a house.
Espied, saw.

Whit, the least bit.

Ware, a town in Hertfordshire, on the river Lea.