Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; We will be furnish'd with our own, Which is both bright and clear. John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; O'erjoy'd was he to find That, though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. 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 stay'd, 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. John Gilpin at his horse's side For saddletree scarce reach'd had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, 'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind, 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 When I do exercise. Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Each bottle had a curling ear, And hung a bottle on each side, Then over all, that he might be Equipp'd from top to toe, His long red cloak, well brush'd 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 The snorting beast began to trot, So, Fair and softly, John he cried, That trot became a gallop soon, So stooping down, as needs he must Who cannot sit upright, He grasp❜d the mane with both his hands, And eke with all his might. His horse, who never in that sort Had handled been before, What thing upon his back had got Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; He little dreamt, when he set out, Of running such a rig. The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern A bottle swinging at each side, As hath been said or sung. The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, Up flew the windows all; And ev'ry soul cried out, Well done! As loud as he could bawl. Away went Gilpin-who but he? His fame soon spread around, |