"I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calendrer Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said; John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, 87 The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allow'd To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stay'd, Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. 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 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, Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, . Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well-brush'd and neat, Now see him mounted once again Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, 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 What thing upon his back had got Away went Gilpin, neck or naught; He little dream'd, when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, Up flew the windows all; 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, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke, But still he seem'd to carry weight, Thus all through merry Islington And there he threw the wash about At Edmonton his loving wife Her tender husband, wond'ring much 66 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 tired-" Said Gilpin, "So am I!" But yet his horse was not a whit So like an arrow swift he flew, Away went Gilpin out of breath, The calendrer, amazed to see Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, "What news? what news? your tidings tell; Tell me you must and shall; Say why bareheaded you are come, Or why you come at all?" Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, "I came because your horse would come; And, if I well forebode, My hat and wig will soon be here, The calendrer, 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, |