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 grasp'd 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 Like streamer long and gay, Till, loop and button failing both, At last it flew away. Then might all people well discern The bottles he had slung; A bottle swinging at each side, As hath been said or sung. The dogs did bark, the children scream'd Up flew the windows all; And every soul cried out, "Well done!" Away went Gilpin-who but he? And still, as fast as he drew near, And now, as he went bowing down Down ran the wine into the road, Most piteous to be seen, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke As they had basted been. But still he seemed to carry weight, With leathern girdle braced; Thus all through merry Islington Of Edmonton so gay; And there he threw the wash about On both sides of the way, Just like unto a trundling mop, Or a wild goose at play. At Edmonton his loving wife Her tender husband, wondering much 66 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!” But yet his horse was not a whit For why?-his owner had a house So like an arrow swift he flew, Away went Gilpin out of breath, Till at his friend the Calender's The Calender, amazed to see His neighbour in such trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, And thus accosted him: "What news? what news? your tidings tell; "Tell me you must and shall "Say why bareheaded you are come, “Or why you come at all?” Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, In merry guise he spoke: "I came because your horse would come; “And, if I well forbqde, "My hat and wig will soon be here, The Calender, right glad to find But to the house went in ; Whence straight he came with hat and wig; A hat not much the worse for wear, He held them up, and in his turn 'My head is twice as big as yours, 66 They therefore needs must fit. "But let me scrape the dirt away, Said John, "It is my wedding-day, So turning to his horse he said, "I am in haste to dine; "'Twas for your pleasure you came here, Ah luckless speech, and bootless boast! For, while he spake, a braying ass Did sing most loud and clear; E Whereat his horse did snort, as he And gallop'd off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away She pull'd out half a crown; And thus unto the youth she said That drove them to the Bell, "This shall be yours, when you bring back "My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon did meet But not performing what he meant, And gladly would have done, And made him faster run. Away went Gilpin, and away The postboy's horse right glad to miss The lumbering of the wheels. Six gentlemen upon the road, Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy scampering in the rear, They raised the hue and cry: |