John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allowed To drive up to the door, lest all So three doors off the chaise was stayed, Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folk so glad; The stones did rattle underneath As if Cheapside were mad. John Gilpin, at his horse's side, For saddle-tree scarce reached had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, 'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind, When Betty, screaming, came downstairs, "The wine is left behind! " "Good lack!" quoth he, "yet bring it me, Now mistress Gilpin, (careful soul!) Each bottle had a curling ear, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, Now see him mounted once again Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, But finding soon a smoother road So, "Fair and softly," John he cried, So stooping down, as needs he must He grasped the mane with both his hands, His horse, who never in that sort Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; He little dreamt, when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Till loop and button failing both, Then might all people well discern The dogs did bark, the children screamed, Up flew the windows all; And every soul cried out, "Well done!" As loud as he could bawl. Away went Gilpin-who but he? And still as fast as he drew near, And now, as he went bowing down The bottles twain behind his back Were shattered at a blow. Down ran the wine into the road, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke As they had basted been. But still he seemed to carry weight, With leathern girdle braced; For all might see the bottle-necks Still dangling at his waist. Thus all through merry Islington And there he threw the wash about, Or a wild goose at play. At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wondering much To see how he did ride. "Stop, stop, John Gilpin ! Here's the house," They all aloud did cry ; - "The dinner waits, and we are tired,” Said Gilpin, "So am I!" |