But still he seem'd to carry weight, Thus all through merry Islington 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, 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 For why?-his owner had a house So like an arrow swift he flew, Away went Gilpin out of breath, The calender, amaz'd to see His neighbour 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 thus unto the calender In merry guise he spoke: I came because your horse would come; My hat and wig will soon be here, The calender, right glad to find Return'd him not a single word, Whence straight he came with hat and wig; A wig that flow'd behind, A hat not much the worse for wear, Each comely in it's kind. He held them up, and in his turn 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; Said John, It is my wedding-day, 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! Whereat his horse did snort, as he And gallop'd off with all his might, Away went Gilpin, and away He lost them sooner than at first, Now mistress Gilpin, when she saw Into the country far away, She pull'd out half a crown; And thus unto the youth she said, 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, |