Away went Gilpin-who but he? And ftill, as faft as he drew near, How in a trice the turnpike-men And now, as he went bowing down The bottles twain behind his back Were fhatter'd at a blow. Down ran the wine into the road, Moft piteous to be seen, Which made his horfe's flanks to smoke As they had bafted been. But ftill he feem'd to carry weight, With leathern girdle brac'd; For all might see the bottle-necks Thus all through merry Islington And till he came unto the Wath And there he threw the wafh about On both fides of the way, Just like unto a trundling mop, Or a wild goose at play. At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wond'ring much To fee how he did ride. Stop, ftop, John Gilpin !-Here's the house They all at once did cry; The dinner waits, and we are tir'd: Said Gilpin-So am I! But yet his horse was not a whit Inclin'd to tarry there; For why?-his owner had a house So like an arrow fwift he flew, So did he fly-which brings me to Away went Gilpin, out of breath, Till at his friend the calender's The calender, amaz'd to see His neighbour in such trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, What news? what news? your tidings tell; Tell me you muft and fhall Say why bare-headed you are come, Or why you come at all. Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, And thus unto the calender In merry guife he spoke : I came because your horse would come; My hat and wig will foon be here They are upon the road. The calender, right glad to find Return'd him not a single word, Whence ftraight he came with hat and wig; A bat not much the worse for wear, He held them up, and, in his turn, My head is twice as big as your's, But let me fcrape the dirt away Said John-It is my wedding-day, And all the world would ftare If wife fhould dine at Edmonton And I fhould dine at Ware! So, turning to his horfe, he faid- 'Twas for your pleasure you came here, You fhall go back for mine. Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast! Whereat his horfe did fnort, as he And gallop'd off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away He loft them fooner than at firft For why?-they were too big! |