15 "What news? what news? your tidings tell; Tell me you must and shall "I came because your horse would come; 25 My hat and wig will soon be here→→ When straight he came, with hat and wig- A wig that flowed behind, A hat not much the worse for wear, 80 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 a hue and cry: "Stop thief! stop thief!-a highwayman!" Not one of them was mute; And all and each that passed that way Biography. William Cowper (1731-1800) was born at Great Berkhamstead, England. He attended Westminster School and later was admitted to the bar. He wrote a number of long poems, of which The Task is probably the best known. "Johr. Gilpin" is undoubtedly his most popular short poem. Cowper suffered greatly from melancholy, and one day when he was feeling depressed, a friend told him the story of John Gilpin. He was so much amused that he determined to share his enjoyment with others, and the next day he wrote the ballad. Discussion. 1. Describe a series of pictures that would tell this story; where in your series would you place the picture on page 147? 2. Which situation would make the funniest picture? 3. How does the poet's language add to the humor of the poem? 4. Read stanzas in which the humor is furnished entirely by the poet's manner of telling something. 5. What references show that this is not a very modern poem? 6. What do you think was the poet's purpose in writing this ballad? 7. Have you read any other poems that amuse and entertain you as this ballad does? 8. Can you name an American poet who has written humorous poems? 9. What good does such a poem as this do? 10. Find in the Glossary the meaning of: trainband; calender; agog; trice; gambols; guise; pin; bootless; posting. Pronounce: chaise; comely. of credit and renown, 152, 2 neck or nought, 155, 7 Phrases running such a rig 155, 10 |