So did he fly - which brings me to The middle of my song. Away went Gilpin out of breath, The calender, amazed to see Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, And thus accosted him : "What news? what news? your tidings tell; Tell me you must and shall Say why bareheaded you are come, Or why you come at all?" Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, "I came because your horse would come; And, if I well forebode, My hat and wig will soon be here, They are upon the road." The calender, right glad to find But to the house went in; Whence straight he came with hat and wig: A wig that flowed 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, If wife should dine at Edmonton, So turning to his horse, he said, "I am in haste to dine; '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 galloped off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Into the country far away, She pulled out half a crown. And thus unto the youth she said, "This shall be yours when you bring back My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon did meet John coming back amain Whom in a trice he tried to stop, By catching at his rein; 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, They raised the hue and cry: Stop thief! stop thief! - a highwayman!" Not one of them was mute; And all and each that passed that way Did join in the pursuit. And now the turnpike gates again Flew open in short space; The tollmen thinking as before, That Gilpin rode a race. And so he did, and won it too, Nor stopped till where he had got up Now let us sing, long live the king! And when he next doth ride abroad, 1. Tell why you like the story of John Gilpin. 2. Why were Mr. Gilpin and his wife going to town? 3. How did they proceed to Edmonton? 4. In what business was John Gilpin |