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; The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Like streamer long and gay, Then might all people well discern 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!" 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 Down ran the wine into the road, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke As they had basted been. But still he seem'd to carry weight, With leathern girdle braced; For all might see the bottle necks Still dangling at his waist. Thus all through merry Islington These gambols he did play, 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!” 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, 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, "I came because your horse would come; 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 wig that flow'd behind, A hat not much the worse for wear, Each comely in its kind. He held them up, and in his turn “But let me scrape the dirt away, Said John, "It is my wedding-day, So turning to his horse, he said, Ah luckless speech, and bootless boast! Whereat his horse did snort, as he And gallop'd off with all his might Away went Gilpin, and away Now Mrs Gilpin, when she saw 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, Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's horse right glad to miss Six gentlemen upon the road, With postboy scampering in the rear, They raised the hue and cry: "Stop thief! stop thief!-a highwayman!" Not one of them was mute; And all and each that pass'd that way Did join in the pursuit. And now the turnpike gates again Flew open in short space; The toll-men thinking as before, That Gilpin rode a race. And so he did, and won it too, Nor stopp'd till where he had got up Now let us sing, long live the king, And, when he next doth ride abroad, |