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 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, So did he fly-which brings me to Away went Gilpin, out of breath, Till at his friend the calender's His horse at last stood still. The calender, amaz'd to see His neighbour in such trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, "What news? what news? your tidings tell; Tell me you must and shall Say why bareheaded you are come, Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, "I came because your horse would come; My hat and wig will soon be here- The calender, right glad to find 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 its kind. He held them up, and, in his turn, But let me scrape the dirt away Said John, "It is my wedding-day, If wife should dine at Edmonton, So, turning to his horse, he said, "I am in haste to dine; "Twas for your pleasure you came hereYou 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 Went Gilpin's hat and wig: 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, That drove them to the Bell, "This shall be yours, when you bring back My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon did meet But not performing what he meant, Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's horse right glad to miss The lumb'ring of the wheels. Six gentlemen upon the road With postboy scamp'ring in the rear, Stop thief! stop thief!—a highwayman!" Not one of them was mute; And all and each that pass'd that way And now the turnpike-gates again Flew open in short space; The toll-men thinking, as before, And so he did, and won it too, Nor stopp'd till where he had got up He did again get down. Now let us sing, Long live the king, And Gilpin, long live he; And when he next doth ride abroad, May I be there to see! COWPER. |