66 My sister, and my sister's child, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride He soon replied, "I do admire "I am a linen-draper bold, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That 's well said; Which is both bright and clear." John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; 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 Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stay'd, Where they did all get in; 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 saddle-tree scarce reach'd had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, 'T was long before the customers Were suited to their mind, When Betty screaming came down stairs, "The wine is left behind!" Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul !) Had two stone bottles found, To hold the liquor that she lov'd, Each bottle had a curling ear, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat, Now see him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, But finding soon a smoother road So, "Fair and softly," John he cried, So stooping down, as needs he must He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, And eke with all his might. # His horse, who never in that sort What thing upon his back had got Did wonder more and more. Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; He little dreamt, when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Then might all people well discern The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, 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, "He carries weight! he rides a race! 'Tis for a thousand pound!" And still as fast as he drew near, And now, as he went bowing down The bottles twain behind his back 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 seem'd to carry weight, With leathern girdle brac'd; Thus all through merry Islington And there he threw the wash about At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wond'ring 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 tir'd:" Said Gilpin "So am I!" But yet his horse was not a whit Inclin'd to tarry there; For why? - his owner had a house Full ten miles off, at Ware. |