He soon replied, “I do admire

Of womankind but one,
And you are she, my dearest dear,

Therefore it shall be done.

20

"I am a linen-draper bold,

As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender

Will lend his horse to go.”

25

Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, “That's well said,

And for that wine is dear,
We will be furnished with our own,

Which is both bright and clear.”

30

John Gilpin kissed his loving wife;

O’erjoyed was he to find,
That though on pleasure she was bent,

She had a frugal mind.

The morning came, the chaise was brought,

But yet was not allowed
To drive up to the door, lest all
Should say

that she was proud.

35

So three doors off the chaise was stayed,

Where they did all get in; Six precious souls, and all agog

To dash through thick and thin.

40

Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,

Were never folk so glad;
The stones did rattle underneath,

As if Cheapsideo were mad.

45

John Gilpin at his horse's side

Seized fast the flowing mane, And up he got, in haste to ride,

But soon came down again;

50

For saddle-tree scarce reached had he,

His journey to begin,
When turning round his head, he saw

Three customers come in.°

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.

55

'Twas long before the customers

Were suited to their mind,
When Betty screaming came down stairs,

The wine is left behind !”

60

“Good lacko!" quoth he — "yet bring it me,

My leathern belt likewise,
In which I bear my trusty sword,

When I do exercise.”

65

Now Mistress Gilpin, (careful soul!)

Had two stone bottles found, To hold the liquor that she loved,

And keep it safe and sound.

70

Each bottle had a curling ear,

Through which the belt he drew, And hung a bottle on each side,

To make his balance true.

Then over all, that he might be

Equipped from top to toe,
His long red cloak, well brushed and neat,

He manfully did throw.

75

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 galled him in his seat.

85

So, “Fair and softly," John he cried,

But John he cried in vain, That trot became a gallop soon,

In spite of curb and rein.

90

So stocping down, as needs he must

Who cannot sit upright,
He grasped 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.

95

Away went Gilpin, neck or nought;

Away went hat and wig;
He little dreamt when he set out,

Of running such a rig. o

100

The wind did blow, the cloak did fly,

Like streamer long and gay,
Till, loop and button failing both,

At last it flew away.

105

Then might all people well discern

The bottles he had slung;
A bottle swinging at each side,

As hath been said or sung.

110

The dogs did bark, the children screamed,

Up flew the windows all;
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!”

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.

120

And now, as he went bowing down

His reeking head full low,
The bottles twain behind his back

Were shattered at a blow.

125

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.

130

But still he seemed to carry weight,

With leathern girdle braced; For all migh't see the bottle-necks

Still dangling at his waist.

Thus all through merry Islingtono

These gambols he did play, Until he came unto the Washo

Of Edmonton so gay;

135