So like an arrow swift he flew, So did he fly- which brings me to Away went Gilpin, out of breath, The Calender, amazed to see His neighbor in such a trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, And thus accosted him : "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, 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, The Calender, right glad to find His friend in merry pin, Return'd him not a single word, But to the house went in; 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 dust away, Said John, "It is my wedding-day, So, turning to his horse, he said, "I am in haste to dine; 'T was for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine." Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast! Whereat his horse did snort, as he And gallop'd off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away Now Mrs. Gilpin, when she saw She pull'd out half-a-crown; And thus unto the youth she said, The youth did ride, and soon did meet By catching at his rein; But not performing what he meant, Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's horse right glad to miss Six gentlemen upon the road Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy scampering in the rear, They rais'd a hue and cry : "Stop thief!-stop thief! Not one of them was mute; a highwayman! 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 stopp'd till where he had got up Now let us sing, long live the king, And Gilpin, long live he; And, when he next doth ride abroad, -William Cowper. THE SPIDER AND THE FLY. WILL you walk into my parlour?" ""Tis the prettiest little parlour That ever you did spy; The way into my parlor Is up a winding stair, And I have many curious things For who goes up your winding stair, Can ne'er come down again." |