John Gilpin at his horse's side For saddle-tree scarce reached had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came, for loss of time, 'Twas long before the customers When Betty screaming came downstairs, "The wine is left behind!" "Good lack!" quoth he, "yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword, Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Each bottle had a curling ear, 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 grasped the mane with both his hands His horse, who never in that sort Had handled been before, Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; He little dreamt, when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern A bottle swinging at each side, D The dogs did bark, the children screamed, Up flew the windows all; 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 ran the wine into the road, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke But still he seemed to carry weight, With leathern girdle braced, Thus all through merry Islington And there he threw the Wash about On both sides of the way, Just like unto a trundling mop, At Edmonton his loving wife Her tender husband, wondering much "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 Inclined to tarry there! 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 shallSay why bareheaded you are come, Or why you come at all?" Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, And thus unto the calender "I came because your horse would come; And, if I well forbode, My hat and wig will soon be here, The calender, right glad to find Whence straight he came, with hat and wig; He held them up and in his turn 66 "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, Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast! For while he spake, a braying ass |