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 For saddle-tree scarce reach'd had he, When turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time 'Twas was 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, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword, When I do exercise. Now mistress Gilpin, (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found, To hold the liquor that she lov❜d, Each bottle had a curling ear, And hung a bottle on each side, Then over all, that he might be Equipp'd from top to toe, His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat Now see him mounted once again Full slowly pacing o'er the stoner, But finding soon a smoother road So fair and softly, John he cried, So stooping down, as needs he must He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, His horse, who never in that sort Away went Gilpin, neck or naught; He little dreamt when he set out, Of running such a rig. The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Like streamer long and gay, Till, loop and button failing both, At last it flew away. Then might all people well discern The bottles he had slung; The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, And ev'ry 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 ran the wine into the road, Most piteous to be seen, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke As they had basted been. But still he seem'd to carry weight, With leathern girdle brac'd; For all might see the bottle-necks Thus all throug a merry Islington These merry gambols he did play, Until he came unto the Wash Of Edmonton so gay; And there he threw the wash about At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wond'ring much To see how he did ride. Stop, stop, John Gilpin-Here's the house→→→ They all at once did cry; The dinner waits, and we are tir'd; 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, amaz'd to see His neighbour in such trim, to 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 bareheaded you are como, Or why you come at all? Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, And lov'd a timely joke; 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 flow'd behind, A hat not much the worse for wear, He held them up, and in his turn But let me scrape the dirt away Said John, it is my wedding day, So turning to his horse, he said, "Twas for your pleasure you came here, |