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 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, 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 His reeking head full low, The bottles twain behind his back Were shatter'd at a blow. Down ran the wine into the road, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke, But still he seem'd to carry weight, With leathern girdle braced; For all might see the bottle-necks Still dangling at his waist. Thus all through merry Islington And there he threw the wash about At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wondering much Stop, stop, John Gilpin !-Here's the houseThey 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, And thus accosted him : What news? what news? your tidings tell! Or why you come at all? 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 10 When 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, Ah luckless speech, and bootless boast! Whereat his horse did snort, as he And gallop'd off with all his might, |