Elson Grammer School Literature, book 4 | Page 9

when he set out Of running such a rig.
The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Like streamer long and gay, Till,
loop and button failing both, At last it flew away.
Then might all people well discern, The bottles he had slung; A bottle
swinging at each side, As hath been said or sung.

The dogs did bark, the children screamed, Up flew the windows all,
And every soul cried out, "Well done!" As loud as he could bawl.
Away went Gilpin--who but he? His fame soon spread around; "He
carries weight, he rides a race! 'Tis for a thousand pound!"
And still, as fast as he drew near, 'Twas wonderful to view, How in a
trice the turnpike men Their gates wide open threw.
And now, as he went bowing down His reeking head full low, The
bottles twain behind his back Were shattered at a blow.
Down ran the wine into the road, Most piteous to be seen, Which made
his horse's flanks to smoke As they had basted been.
But still he seemed to carry weight, With leathern girdle braced; For all
might see the bottle necks Still dangling at his waist.
Thus all through merry Islington These gambols he did play, Until he
came unto the wash Of Edmonton so gay;
And there he threw the wash about On both sides of the way, Just like
unto a trundling mop, Or a wild goose at play.
At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied 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 tired." Said Gilpin, "So am I!"
But yet his horse was not a whit Inclined to tarry there; For why? his
owner had a house Full ten miles off, at Ware.
So like an arrow swift he flew, Shot by an archer strong; So did he
fly--which brings me to The middle of my song.
Away went Gilpin, out of breath, And sore against his will, Till, at his
friend the calender's, His horse at last stood still.
The calender, amazed to see His neighbor in such trim, 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, And loved a timely joke; And thus unto
the calender, In merry guise, he spoke:
"I came because your horse would come; And, if I well forbode, My
hat and wig will soon be here:-- They are upon the road."
The calender, right glad to find His friend in merry pin, Returned him
not a single word, 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, Each comely in its kind.
He held them up and in his turn Thus showed his ready wit: "My head
is twice as big as yours, They, therefore, needs must fit.
But let me scrape the dirt away That hangs upon your face; And stop
and eat, for well you may Be in a hungry case."
Said John, "It is my wedding day, And all the world would stare, If
wife should dine at Edmonton And I should dine at Ware."
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, For which he paid full dear;
For while he spake, a braying ass Did sing most loud and clear;
Whereat his horse did snort, as he Had heard a lion roar, And galloped
off with all his might, As he had done before.
Away went Gilpin, and away Went Gilpin's hat and wig: He lost them
sooner than at first; For why?--they were too big.
Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the
country far away, She pulled 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 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 And gladly would have done, The
frightened steed he frighted more, And made him faster run.
Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's
horse right glad to miss The lumbering of the wheels.
Six gentlemen upon the road, Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy
scampering