So like an arrow fwift he flew,

Shot by an archer ftrong;

So did he fly-which brings me to
The middle of my fong.

Away went Gilpin, out of breath,
And fore against his will,

Till at his friend the calender's
His horfe at last stood ftill,

The calender, amaz'd to see

His neighbour in fuch trim,

Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate,

And thus accofted him :

What news? what news? your tidings tell;

Tell me you must and shall

Say why bare-headed you are come,

Or why you come at all.

8

Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit,

And lov'd a timely joke;

And thus unto the calender

In merry guife he spoke:

I came because

your

horfe would come;

And, if I well forebode,

My hat and wig will foon be here

They are upon the road.

The calender, right glad to find

His friend in merry pin,

Return'd him not a single word,
But to the house went in;

Whence ftraight he came with hat and wig;

A wig that flow'd behind,

A hat not much the worfe for wear,

Each comely in its kind.

He held them up, and, in his turn,
Thus fhow'd his ready wit

My head is twice as big as your's,
They therefore needs must fit.

But let me fcrape the dirt away
That hangs upon your face;
And stop and eat, for well you may
Be in a hungry cafe.

Said John-It is my wedding-day,
And all the world would ftare

If wife fhould dine at Edmonton

And I fhould dine at Ware!

So, turning to his horfe, he faid

I am in hafte to dine;

'Twas for your pleasure you came here,

You shall go back for mine.

С с

Ah, lucklefs fpeech, and bootlefs boast!

For which he paid full dear;

For, while he spake, a braying afs

Did fing moft loud and clear;

Whereat his horfe did fnort, as he

Had heard a lion roar,

And gallop'd off with all his might,
As he had done before.

Away went Gilpin, and away
Went Gilpin's hat and wig!

He loft them fooner than at first

For why?-they were too big!

Now, mistress Gilpin, when the faw
Her husband posting down

Into the country far away,

She pull'd out half a crown;

And thus unto the youth fhe faid

That drove them to the Bell

This fhall be your's when you bring back My husband fafe and well.

The youth did ride, and foon did meet

John coming back amain

Whom in a trice he tried to ftop,

By catching at his rein;

But, not performing what he meant,
And gladly would have done,

The frighted steed he frighted more,
And made him fafter run.

Away went Gilpin, and away
Went poft-boy at his heels!-

The post-boy's horse right glad to miss

The lumb'ring of the wheels.