The Callender amazed to see His neighbour in such trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, And thus accosted him What news? what news? your tidings tell, Say why bare-headed you are come, Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit I came because your horse would come; My hat and wig will soon be here, The Callender, right glad to find But to the house went in. Whence 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 -My head is twice as big as yours, 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 Away went Gilpin, and away He lost them sooner than at first, Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Into the country far away, She pull'd 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 But not performing what he meant, Away went Gilpin, and away Went post-boy at his heels, The post-boy's horse right glad to miss Six gentlemen upon the road With post-boy scampering in the rear, Stop thief, stop thief-a highwayman! Not one of them was mute, And all and each that pass'd that way And now the turnpike gates again in short space, The toll-men thinking as before That Gilpin rode a race. And so he did and won it too, For he got first to town, Nor stopp'd till where he had got up Now let us sing, Long live the king, And when he next doth ride abroad, May I be there to see! THE DISTRESSED TRAVELLERS; OR, LABOUR IN VAIN. An excellent New Song, to a Tune never sung before. 1. I SING of a journey to Clifton, We would have perform'd if we could, Poor Mary and me through the mud; Stuck in the mud, Oh it is pretty to wade through a flood! 2. So away we went, slipping and sliding, Go briskly about, But they clatter and rattle, and make such a rout! 3. SHE. Well! now I protest it is charming; Pshaw! never mind; "Tis not in the wind; We are travelling south, and shall leave it behind. 4. SHE. I am glad we are come for an airing, HE. The longer we stay, The longer we may; It's a folly to think about weather or way. 5. SHE. But now I begin to be frighted: If I fall, what a way I should roll! HE. Nay, never care! 'Tis a common affair ; You'll not be the last that will set a foot there. |