To-morrow is our wedding-day, My sister, and my sister's child, He soon replied, I do admire And you are she, my dearest dear, I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Will lend his horse to go. 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, 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, Six precious souls, and all agog Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folk so glad ; 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, When I do exercise. Now mistress Gilpin, (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found, To hold the liquor that she lov'd, And keep it safe and sound. Each bottle had a curling ear, And hung a bottle on each side, Then over all, that he might be Equipp'd from top to toe, 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, His horse, who never in that sort Away went Gilpin, neck or naught; The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Like streamer long and gay, Till, loop and button failing both, Then might all people well discern The bottles he had slung; 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, 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; For all might see the bottle-necks Thus all through merry Islington Until he came unto the Wash Of Edmonton so gay ; And there he threw the wash about At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wond'ring much Stop, stop, John Gilpin-Here's the houseThey 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? |