And there he threw the wash about
On both fides of the way,
Just like unto a trundling mop,
Or a wild-goofe at play.

At Edmonton his loving wife
From the balcony fpied

Her tender husband, wond'ring much
To fee how he did ride."

Stop, ftop, John Gilpin !-Here's the houfeThey all at once did cry,

The dinner waits and we are tir'd:

Said Gilpin-fo am I.

But yet his horfe was not a whit
Inclined to tarry there,

For why? his owner had a house
Full ten miles off, at Ware.

So

So like an arrow fwift he flew

Shot by an archer strong,
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's the Callender's!
His horfe at laft ftood ftill.

The Callender amazed to fee

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?..

A a

Now

Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit
And loved a timely joke,
And thus unto the Callender

In merry guise 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 Callender, right glad to find
His friend in merry pin,
Return'd him not a fingle 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 worse 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 yours,
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 fhall go back for mine.

A a 2

Ah

Ah luckless fpeech, and bootlefs boaft!
For which he paid full dear,
For while he spake a braying afs
Did fing most 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 fhe faw
Her husband pofting down

Into the country far away,

She pull'd out half a crown;