The diverting history of john gilpin by william cowper (excerpt) john gilpin was a citizen of credit and renown, 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. "to-morrow 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." 4 select the correct answers. which two characteristics suggest that the excerpt is from a ballad? the stanzas feature a simple end-rhyme scheme. the excerpt uses iambic pentameter consistently. the lines alternate between iambic tetrameter and trimeter. the excerpt uses elevated language for comic effect.