Now mistress Gilpin, (careful soul!) Each bottle had a curling ear, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brush'd and ness 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 naught; He little dreamt when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly Then might all people well discern A bottle swinging at each side, The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, Up flew the windows all; And ev'ry soul cried out, well done! 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, 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 brac'd; For all might see the bottle-necks Still dangling at his waist. Thus all through merry Islington 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, wond'ring much Stop, stop, John Gilpin-Here's the houseThey all at once did cry; The dinner waits, and we are tir'd; 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, amaz'd 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, He held them up, and in its turn But let me scrape the dirt away Said John, it is my wedding day, And all the world would stare, |