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 Did wonder more and more and more. 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, The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, 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, How in a trice the turnpike men 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 From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wond'ring 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 Away went Gilpin out of breath, The calender, amaz'd 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 came 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 When straight he came with hat and wig, 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, You shall go back for mine. Ah luckless speech, and bootless boast Whereat his horse did snort, as he And gallop'd off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away Now Mrs. Gilpin, when she saw Into the country far away, She pull'd out half a crown: And thus unto the youth she said, That drove them to the Bell, This shall be yours, when you bring back The youth did ride, and soon did meet Whom in a trice he tried to stop, But not performing what he meant Away went Gilpin, and away, The postboy's horse right glad to miss Six gentlemen upon the road, With postboy scampering in the rear, Stop thief! stop thief!-a highwayman, And now the turnpike gates again, And so he did and won it too, Nor stopp'd till where he had got up, Now let us sing, long live the king, And, when he next doth ride abroad, CATHARINA. ADDRESSED TO MISS STAPLETON, SHE came-she is gone-we have met- The sun of that moment is set And seems to have risen in vain. |