And still, as fast as he drew near, How in a trice the turnpike men 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 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 What news? what news? your tidings tell; Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, I came because your horse would come; ཝཱ My hat and wig will soon be here, The calender, right glad to find Whence straight he came with hat and wig; 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, If wife should dine at Edmonton, So turning to his horse, he said, 'Twas for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine. 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 mistress Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the country far away, She pull'd out half-a-crown ; And thus unto the youth she said, This shall be yours, when you bring back The youth did ride, and soon did meet But, not performing what he meant, 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:— |