5 10 15 20 The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, And every 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 The bottles twain behind his back 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 braced; Thus all through merry Islington These gambols did he play, And there he threw the wash about 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, Shot by an archer strong; So did he fly which brings me to 10 15 20 5 10 15 20 Away went Gilpin out of breath, Till at his friend the calender's His horse at last stood still. The calender, amazed to see His neighbor 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, And thus unto the calender "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 his turn "But let me scrape the dirt away 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 came here, You shall go back for mine." Ah luckless speech, and bootless boast! For which he paid full dear; For, while he spake, a braying ass Did sing most loud and clear; 5 10 15 20 10 5 15 20 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 Into the country far away, And thus unto the youth she said, "This shall be yours, when you bring back My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon did meet John coming back amain; Whom in a trice he tried to stop, But not performing what he meant, |