The Diverting History of John Gilpin

So I ran across this poem in the current collection I’m reading. It’s by William Cowper in 1782 and it’s titled The Diverting History of John Gilpin.
Project Gutenberg has a great page for it, with some fantastic illustrations done for the poem by Randoph Caldecott here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/11979/11979-h/11979-h.htm

I’ll recite a few of the verses, and then refer the reader to the longer version, which I have no intention of typing out here. ; )

John Gilpin was a citizen of credit and reknown
A train-band captain eke was he of famous London town
John Gilpin’s spouse said to her dear ‘though wedded we have been
These twice ten tedious years, yet we no holiday have seen.
Tomorrow is our wedding day and we will then repair
Unto the Bell at Edmonton all in a chaise and pair.

He soon replied I do admire of womankind but one
And you are she, my dearest dear, therefore it shall be done.

Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, ‘That’s well said; and for that wine is dear
We will be furnished with our own, which is both bright and clear.”
John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; o’erjoyed was he to find
That though on pleasure she was bent, she had a frugal mind.

Anyway, it’s worth the read… at least that’s what I think.