His horse, who never in that scrt Had handled been before, What thing upon his back had got Did wonder more and more. Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern 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? He carries weight! he rides a race! VOL. VII. And still, as fast as he drew near, 'Twas wonderful to view, How in a trice the turnpike men 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 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 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 Stop, stop, John Gilpin !-Here's the house! They all at once 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, What news? what news? your tidings tell; Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, In merry guise he spoke : I came because your horse would come; And, if I well forebode, 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, 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, Twas for your pleasure you came here, Ah luckless speech, and bootless boast! Whereat his horse did snort, as he Away went Gilpin, and away He lost them sooner than at first, |