He soon replied: "I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, "I am a linendraper bold, As all the world doth know, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said; We will be furnished with our own, That, though on pleasure she was bent, The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allow'd To drive up to the door, lest all So three doors off the chaise was stayed, 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. 1 Seems to be the same as "calenderer "-a dresser of cotton and linen cloth, by pressing it between rollers. 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 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, Now Mistress Gilpin, careful soul! Each bottle had a curling ear, And hung a bottle on each side, As a captain of the train-hands. Then over all, that he might be Equipped from top to toe, His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, He manfully did throw. Now see him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed, 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, IIe grasped the mane with both his hands His horse, who never in that sort Had handled been before, Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; Ile little dreamt, when he set out, The wind did blow, the clook did fly, Till, loop and button failing both, Then might all people well discern The dogs did bark, the children screamed, And every soul cried out, "Well done!" As loud as he could bawl. 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 smoka. As they had basted been. But still he seemed to carry weight Thus all through merry Islington And there he threw the wash about, Or a wild goose at play. At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony espied Her tender husband, wondering 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, So did he fly-which brings me to |