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

From the balcony spied,
Her tender husband, wond'ring much

To see how he did ride.

Stop, stop, John Gilpin !-Here's the house

They all at once did cry,
The dinner waits and we are cir'd;

Said Gilpin-fo am I.

But yet his horse was not a whit

Inclined to tarry there,
For why? his owner had a house

Full ten miles off, at Ware,

So So like an arrow swift he few

Shot by an archer strong,
So did he fly-which brings me to

The middle of my song.

Away went Gilpin, out of breath,

And sore against his will, ..
Till at his friend's the Callender's !

His horse at last stood still.

The Callender amazed to see

His neighbour in such trim,
Laid down his pipe, Aew to the gate,

And thus accosted him

What news? what news? your tidings tell,

Tell me you must and shall
Say why bare-headed you are come,
Or why you come at all?: ...
А а

Now

Now Gilpin had a pleasant wie

And loved a timely joke, And thus unto the Callender

In merry guise he spoke

I came becaufe your horse would come ;

And if I well forebode,
My hat and wig will soon be here,

They are upon the road.

The Callender, right glad to find

His friend in merry pin, Return'd him not a single word,

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

He held them up, and in his turn

Thus show'd his ready wit,
My head is twice as big as yours,
They therefore needs must fit.

But let me scrape the dirt away

That hangs upon your face;
And stop and eat, for well you may

Be in a hungry case,

Said John-It is my wedding-day,

And all the world would stare,

If wife should dine at Edmonton

And I should dine at Ware,

So turning to his horse, he said,

I am in haste to dine, 'Twas for your pleasure you caine here,

You shall go back for mine.

Ah luckless speech, and bootlefs boast !

For which he paid full dear, For while he spake a braying ass

Did sing most loud and clear.

Whereat his horse did snort as he

Had heard a lion roar,

And gallop'd off with all his might

As he had done before.

Away went Gilpin, and away

Went Gilpin's hat and wig; He lost them sooner than at first,

For why? they were too big,

Now Mistress Gilpin, when fhe faw

Her husband posting down Into the country

far

away,
She pull'd out half a crown;