'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind, When Betty, screaming, came down stairs, "The wine is left behind!" "Good lack," quoth he; "yet bring it me, In which I bear my trusty sword Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul) Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, And hung a bottle on each side, Then over all that he might be, His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, Now see him mounted once again Full slowly pacing o'er the stones But finding soon a smoother road JOHN GILPIN. So, "Fair and softly," John he cried; So stooping down, as needs he must He grasped the mane with both his hands, His horse, which never in that sort Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; He little dreamt, when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Till loop and button failing both, 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? And still, as fast as he drew near, And now, as he went bowing down Down fan the wine into the road, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke As they had basted been. But still he seemed to carry weight, Thus all through merry Islington Until he came unto the Wash And there he threw the wash about Just like unto a trundling mop, JOHN GILPIN. At Edmonton his loving wife Her tender husband, wondering much 55 "Stop, stop, John Gilpin! Here's the house," They all aloud did cry; "The dinner 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, amazed to see His neighbour in such 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?" 56 JOHN GILPIN Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, "I came because your horse would come; My hat and wig will soon be here- The calender, right glad to find 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, He held them up, and in his turn 66 "But let me scrape the dirt away Said John, "It is my wedding-day, |