"I am a linen draper bold, As all the world doth know; Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said; We will be furnished with our own, John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allowed To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stayed Where they did all get in 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 And up he got, in haste to ride- 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 Were suited to their mind; When Betty, screaming, came downstairs "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 brushed 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, Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; Away went hat and wig; He little dreamt, when he set out, Of running such a rig. The wind did blow- the cloak did fly, At last it flew away. Then might all people well discern A bottle swinging at each side, As hath been said or sung. The dogs did bark, the children screamed, Up flew the windows all; And ev'ry soul cried out, "Well done!" As loud as he could bawl. Away went Gilpin who but he? His fame soon spread around; 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 seemed to carry weight, With leathern girdle braced; Thus all through merry Islington Of Edmonton so gay; And there he threw the wash about At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wondering much To see how he did ride. "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. So did he fly-which brings me to Away went Gilpin out of breath, The calender, amazed to see His neighbor in such trim, |