And there he threw the Wash about On both sides of the way, Just like unto a trundling mop, Or a wild goose at play. At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wondering much To see how he did ride. 140 "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!" 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. So like an arrow swift he flew, Shot by an archer strong; 150 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; 165 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 forbode, My hat and wig will soon be here, They are upon the road." The calender right glad to find His friend in merry pin,° Returned him not a single word, But to the house went in: Whence straight he came with hat and wig, A wig that flowed behind, A hat not much the worse for wear, Each comely in its kind. 170 175 180 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, 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 Whereat his horse did snort, as he Had heard a lion roar, And galloped off with all his might, 185 190 195 200 205 Away went Gilpin, and away He lost them sooner than at first, Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw She pulled out half a crown; And thus unto the youth she said, "This shall be yours, when you bring back 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, And gladly would have done, And made him faster run. Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's horse right glad to miss 210 215 220 225 230 Six gentlemen upon the road, Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy scampering in the rear, 235 "Stop thief! stop thief - a highwayman!" Not one of them was mute; And all and each that passed that way Did join in the pursuit. And now the turnpike gates again Flew open in short space; The toll-men thinking as before, That Gilpin rode a race. And so he did, and won it too, For he got first to town; Nor stopped till where he did get up Now let us sing, long live the king, And Gilpin long live he; And when he next doth ride abroad, ON THE GRASSHOPPER HAPPY Songster, perched above, On the summit of the grove, Whom a dew drop cheers to sing, With the freedom of a king. 240 245 250 |