14. So down he came; for loss of time, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, 15. 'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind; When Betty, screaming, came down-stairs, "The wine is left behind!" 16. "Good lack!" quoth he; "yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword 17. Now, Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) To hold the liquor that she loved, 18. Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, 19. Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, 20. Now see him mounted once again. Upon his nimble steed Full slowly pacing o'er the stones 21. But finding soon a smoother road 22. "So! fair and softly," John he cried; 23. So stooping down, as needs he must He grasped the mane with both his hands, 24. His horse, which never in that sort What thing upon his back had got 25. Away went Gilpin, neck or nought, He little dreamt, when he set out, 26. The wind did blow, the cloak did fly Till, loop and button failing both, rig, frolic. 27. Then might all people well discern The bottles he had slung, A bottle swinging at each side, As hath been said or sung. 28. The dogs did bark, the children screamed, Up flew the windows all, And every soul cried out, "Well done!" 29. Away went Gilpin — who but he? 30. And still, as fast as he drew near, 31. And now, as he went bowing down 32. 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. 33. But still he seemed to carry weight, With leathern girdle braced; For all might see the bottle-necks 34. Thus all through merry Islington 35. And there he threw the Wash about 36. At Edmonton his loving wife Her tender husband, wondering much 37. "Stop, stop, John Gilpin! Here's the house," They all aloud did cry; "The dinner waits, and we are tired." 40. Away went Gilpin, out of breath, And sore against his will, Till at his friend the calender's His horse at last stood still. 41. The calender, amazed to see And thus accosted him: 42. "What news? what news? your tidings tell; 43. Now, Gilpin had a pleasant wit, And loved a timely joke; And thus unto the calender In merry guise he spoke : 44. "I came because your horse would come; My hat and wig will soon be here - 45. The calender, right glad to find His friend in merry pin, Returned him not a single word, But to the house went in; 46. Whence straight he came with hat and wig, – A wig that flowed behind, 1 forebode, predict. |