My sister, and my sister's child, He soon replied, I do admire I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, that's well said, We will be furnish'd with our own, John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; That though on pleasure she was bent, 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, 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 '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, Now mistress Gilpin, (careful soul!) 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 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 Had handled been before, Away went Gilpin, neck or naught; 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! Away went Gilpin-who but he? And still, as fast as he drew near, And now as he went bowing down Down ran the wine into the road, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke As they had basted been. But still he seem'd to carry weight, Thus all through merry Islington And there he threw the wash about At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied |