‘I am a linendraper bold,

'As all the world doth know,

'And my good friend, the Calender, 'Will lend his horse to go.'

Quoth Mistress Gilpin, 'That's well said; 25 'And, for that wine is dear, 'We will be furnish'd with our own,

'Which is both bright and clear.'

John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife;

O'erjoy'd was he to find

30

That, though on pleasure she was bent,

She had a frugal mind.

The morning came, the chaise was brought,

But yet was not allow'd

To drive up to the door, lest all

Should say that she was proud.

So three doors off the chaise was stay'd,

Where they did all get in,

Six precious souls, and all agog

To dash through thick and thin.

35

40

Smack went the whip, round went the wheels;

Were never folks so glad :

For saddle-tree scarce reach'd had he,
His journey to begin,

50

When, turning round his head, he saw

Three customers come in.

23 Calender, cloth-dresser 44 a street in London 49 saddle-tree, bow of the saddle

So down he came; for loss of time
Although it grieved him sore,

Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,
Would trouble him much more.

'Twas long before the customers

Were suited to their mind,

55

When Betty, screaming, came downstairs,

'The wine is left behind!'

60

'Good lack!' quoth he, 'yet bring it me,

'My leathern belt likewise,

'In which I bear my trusty sword

'When I do exercise.'

Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul !)

Had two stone-bottles found,

To hold the liquor that she loved,
And keep it safe and sound.

65

His long red cloak, well-brush'd and neat,

75

He manfully did throw.

Now see him mounted once again

Upon his nimble steed,

Full slowly pacing o'er the stones,
With caution and good heed.

80

But finding soon a smoother road`
Beneath his well-shod feet,
The snorting beast began to trot,
Which gall'd him in his seat.

64 as a soldier 74 equipp'd, dressed out

So, 'Fair and softly!' John he cried,

85

But John he cried in vain ;

That trot became a gallop soon,

In spite of curb and rein.

So stooping down, as needs he must

Who cannot sit upright,

He grasp❜d the mane with both his hands,

And eke with all his might.

His horse, who never in that sort

Had handled been before,

What thing upon his back had got
Did wonder more and more.

Away went Gilpin, neck or nought;
Away went hat and wig;

90

95

He little dreamt, when he set out,

Of running such a rig.

100

The wind did blow, the cloak did fly,

And every soul cried out--Well done!'

As loud as he could bawl.

Away went Gilpin-who but he?

His fame soon spread around,

'He carries weight; he rides a race! "Tis for a thousand pound!'

92 eke, also

C 2

115

And still as fast as he drew near,

'Twas wonderful to view
How in a trice the turnpike men
Their gates wide open threw.

And now, as he went bowing down
His reeking head full low,

The bottles twain behind his back

Were shatter'd at a blow.

120

With leathern girdle braced;

For all might see the bottle-necks
Still dangling at his waist.

Thus all through merry Islington
These gambols he did play,

130

From the balcóny spied

Her tender husband, wondering much

To see how he did ride.

"Stop, stop, John Gilpin !-Here's the house' 145

They all at once did cry;

'The dinner waits, and we are tired ;'

Said Gilpin, 'So am I !'

119 trice, moment 122 reeking, steaming

128 with gravy

But yet his horse was not a whit
Inclined to tarry there;
For why? his owner had a house
Full ten miles off, at Ware.

150

His neighbour in such trim,

Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate,

And thus accosted him.

'What news? what news? your tidings tell! 165

'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 loved a timely joke;

And thus unto the Calender

170

In merry guise he spoke :

'I came, because your horse would come;

'And, if I well forbode,

'My hat and wig will soon be here,

175