And there he threw the wash about On both fides of the way, Juft like unto a trundling mop, At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony fpied Her tender husband, wond'ring much To fee how he did ride. Stop, ftop, John Gilpin!-Here's the house They all at once did cry, The dinner waits and we are tir'd: Said Gilpin-fo am I. But yet his horfe 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 fwift he flew Shot by an archer strong, So did he fly-which brings me to Away went Gilpin, out of breath, Till at his friend's the Callender's! His horfe at laft ftood ftill.: The Callender amazed to fee His neighbour in fuch trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, And thus accofted 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? Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit And thus unto the Callender In merry guise he spoke I came because your horfe would come; My hat and wig will foon be here, They are upon the road. The Callender, right glad to find Return'd him not a fingle word, Whence ftraight 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 -My head is twice as big as yours, But let me scrape the dirt away Said John-It is my wedding-day, If wife fhould dine at Edmonton And I fhould dine at Ware. So turning to his horfe, he faid, I am in hafte to dine, 'Twas for your pleasure you came here, You fhall go back for mine. Ah luckless speech, and bootless boast! For which he paid full dear, For while he fpake a braying afs Did fing moft loud and clear. Whereat his horfe did fnort as he Had heard a lion roar, And gallop'd off with all his might Away went Gilpin, and away He loft them fooner than at first, Now Mistress Gilpin, when fhe faw Into the country far away, She pull'd out half a crown; And |