Elson Grammer School Literature, book 4 | Page 8

making his home in the
Isle of Wight. He died in 1892 and was buried in the Poets' Corner in
Westminster Abbey.
The event which this poem describes occurred at Balaklava in the
Crimea, October 25th, 1854. Of six hundred seven men only about one
hundred fifty survived. The order to charge, bearing the signature of
Lord Lucan, was delivered by Captain Nolan to the Earl of Cardigan,
who was in command of the "Light Brigade." Nolan was killed in the
charge while Cardigan survived. The death of Nolan made it

impossible to determine whether the signature to the order was genuine
or forged.
It was in this war that Florence Nightingale rendered such noble service
as hospital nurse. She arrived at Balaklava ten days after this charge.
Notes and Questions.
On your map find Balaklava on the Black Sea.
What nation attacked the Russians?
What was the significance of Sevastopol?
What is a brigade? A light brigade?
What is meant by "charging an army"?
Who had "blundered"?
What lines tell you that obedience is the first duty of the soldier?
What line tells you how vain and hopeless was this charge?
How does the poem impress you?
Words and Phrases for Discussion.
"Valley of Death" "half a league" "the mouth of Hell" "the jaws of
Death" "dismay'd" "volley'd and thunder'd"
* * * * *
THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN
WILLIAM COWPER
John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown, A trainband 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
"My sister, and my sister's child, Myself, and children three, Will fill
the chaise, so you must ride On horseback 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 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.
The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allowed To

drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud.
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.
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;
For saddle-tree scarce reached had he, His journey to begin, When,
turning round his head, he saw Three customers come in.
So down he came; for loss of time, Although it grieved him sore, Yet
loss of pence, full well he knew, Would trouble him much more.
'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind, When Betty
screaming came down stairs,-- "The wine is left behind!"
"Good lack!" quoth he, "yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, In
which I bear my trusty sword When I do exercise."
Now Mrs. Gilpin, careful soul, Had two stone bottles found, To hold
the liquor that she loved, And keep it safe and sound.
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, His long red
cloak, well brushed and He manfully did throw.
Now see him mounted once again, Upon his nimble steed, Full slowly
pacing o'er the stones With caution and good heed.
But finding soon a smoother road Beneath his well-shod feet, The
snorting beast began to trot, Which galled him in his seat.
So "Fair and softly" John he cried, But John he cried in vain; That trot
became a gallop soon, In spite of curb and rein.
So stooping down, as needs he must Who cannot sit upright, He
grasped the mane with both his hands, And eke with all his might.
His horse, which never in that sort Had handled been before, What
thing upon his back had got Did wonder more and more.
Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; Away went hat and wig; He little
dreamed