Away went Gilpin, out of breath, The calender, amazed to see His neighbor in such trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, "What news? what news? your tidings tell; 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; When straight he came with hat and wig; A hat not much the worse for wear, 3. Pin. Humor, mood. He held them up, and in his turn, Thus showed his ready wit: "My head is twice as big as yours, They therefore needs must fit. "But let me scrape the dirt away Said John,-"It is my wedding day, So turning to his horse, he said, "I am in haste to dine; 'T was for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine." Ah! luckless speech, and bootless boast, For while he spake, a braying ass Whereat his horse did snort, as he And galloped off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away For why?-they were too big. Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Into the country far away, She pulled out half-a-crown; And thus unto the youth she said, That drove them to the Bell, "This shall be yours, when you bring back My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon did meet Whom in a trice he tried to stop By catching at his rein; But not performing what he meant, Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's horse right glad to miss Six gentlemen upon the road, Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy scampering in the rear, "Stop thief! stop thief!-a highwayman!" Not one of them was mute; And all and each that passed that way And now the turnpike-gates again Flew open in short space; And so he did, and won it too, Nor stopped till where he had got up Now let us sing, Long live the King, And when he next doth ride abroad, 31 TAM O'SHANTER 1 ROBERT BURNS When chapman 2 billies 3 leave the street, 8 An' getting fou and unco happy, "The 1. In an edition of selected poems from Burns, Hudson says: original of Tam O'Shanter was an individual named Douglas Graham, a Carrick farmer. The man was, in sober truth, the 'bletherin,' blusterin' blellum' that the poet has described, and his wife was as veritably a lady who most anxiously discouraged drinking in her husband." 2. Chapman. A peddler. 3. Billie. A companion. 4. Gate. Road. 5. Bousin'. Drinking. 6. Nappy. Ale, 7. Fou. Full, drunk. 8. Unco. Very. We think na on the lang Scots miles,9 This truth fand 12 honest Tam o' Shanter, O Tam! had'st thou but been sae wise, Ae market-day thou wasna sober; 9. Lang Scots miles. The old Scotch mile was 216 yards longer than the English 15 mile. Ilka. Every. Melder. Grain taken to be ground. Ca'd. Driven. Warlocks. Wizards. |