I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said; John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, The morning came, the chaise was brought, To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stayed. Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folk so glad; The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside were mad. John Gilpin, at his horse's side, Seized fast the flowing mane, And up he got, in haste to ride, 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 When Betty screaming came down stairs, "The wine is left behind!" "Good lack!" quoth he, "yet bring it 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 coat, well brushed and neat, Now, see John Gilpin once again Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, But, finding soon a smoother road So "fair and softly." John did cry; But John did cry in vain ; That trot became a gallop soon In spite of curb or rein. So stooping down, as he needs must He grasped the mane with both his hands, His horse, who never in that sort Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; He little dreamed, 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, And every soul cried out, Well done! Away went Gilpin-who but he? His fame soon spread around, He carries weight! he rides a race! 'Tis for a thousand pound. And still, as fast as he drew near, And now, as he went bowing down 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, Her tender husband, wondering much To see how he did ride. "Stop, stop, John Gilpin! here's the house!" They all aloud did cry; "The dinnner 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 Away went Gilpin, out of breath, The calender, surprised to see And thus accosted him : "What news, what news?—the 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, And loved a timely joke; And thus unto the calender In merry guise he spoke; "I came because your horse would come, And, if I well forebode, My hat and wig will soon be here, They are upon the road." The calender, right glad to find Returned him not a single word, |