mia.

There was an Old Person of Basing,
Whose presence of mind was amazing;
He purchased a steed, which he rode at full speed
And escaped from the people of Basing.

There was an Old Man on a hill,
Who seldom if ever stood still;
He ran up and down in his Grandmother's gown,
Which adorned that Old Man on a hill.

There was an Old Man of Kilkenny,
Who never had more than a penny,
He spent all that money on onions and honey,
That wayward Old Man of Kilkenny.

There was an Old Person of Perth,
The stingiest fellow on earth;
He fed--oh! 'twas cruel--on seaweed and gruel,
This stingy Old Person of Perth.

A dogmatic Old Fellow of Shoreham,
Would snub his companions and bore 'em,
By flat contradiction, which was an affliction
To the friends of this party of Shoreham.

There was an Old Person of Ischia,
Whose conduct grew friskier and friskier;
He danced hornpipes and jigs, and ate thousands of figs,
That lively Old Person of Ischia.

There was an Old Person of Hurst,
Who drank when he was not athirst;
When they said, "You'll grow fatter!" he answered, "What matter?"
That globular Person of Hurst.

[Page 103--Old Men Tales]

The Diverting History Of John Gilpin

John Gilpin was a citizen
Of credit and renown,
A train-bound Captain eke was he
Of famous London town.
John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear,
Though we have wedded been,
These twice ten tedious years, yet we
No holiday have seen.

To-morrow is our wedding-day,
And we then will repair
Unto the "Bell" at Edmonton,
All in a chaise and pair,
My sister and my sister's child,
Myself and children three,
Will fill the chaise, so you must ride
On horse-back after we.

He soon replied--I do admire
Of womankind but one,
And you are she, my dearest dear,
Therefore it shall be done,
I am a linen-draper 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;
And for that wind is dear,
We will be furnished with our own,
Which is both bright and clear;
John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife,
O'erjoyed was he to find
That, though on pleasure she was bent,
She had a frugal mind.

The morning came, the chaise was brought,
And yet wa