For saddle-tree scarce reached had he When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, 'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind, When Betty screaming came down stairs, "The wine is left behind!" "Good lack!" quoth he-" yet bring to me, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Each bottle had a curling ear, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, 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 grasped 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 The dogs did bark, the children screamed, Up flew the windows all ; And every soul cried out, "Well done!" Away went Gilpin—who but he ? And still, as fast as he drew near, How in a trice the turnpike men And now, as he went bowing down His reeking head full low, Down ran the wine into the road, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke But still he seemed to carry weight Thus all through merry Islington And there he threw the Wash about At Edmonton, his loving wife From the balcòny spied Her tender husband, wondering much 66 Stop, stop, John Gilpin! here's the house," They all at once did cry; "The dinner waits, and we are tired:" Away went Gilpin out of breath, And sore against his will, The calend'rer, amazed to see Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, “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, "I came because your horse would come, My hat and wig will soon be here— The calend'rer, right glad to find Whence straight he came with hat and wig, A hat not much the worse for wear, He held them up, and in his turn “But let me scrape the dirt away 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, Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast! Whereat his horse did snort, as he And galloped off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the country far away, She pulled out half a crown; 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, By catching at his rein; But, not performing what he meant, D |