I am a linendraper bold, As all the world doth know, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; O'erjoy'd was he to find, 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 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 saddletree 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 When Betty screaming came down stairs, Good lack! quoth he-yet bring it me, In which I bear my trusty sword, When I do exercise. Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found, 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 main with both his hands, His horse, who never in that sort Away went Gilpin, neck or nought, He little dreamt, when he set out, The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Like streamer long and gay, Till, loop and button failing both, At last it flew away. Then might all people well discern A bottle swinging at each side, As hath been said or sung. 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 Were shatter'd at a blow. 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 Still dangling at his waist. Thus all through merry Islington And there he threw the wash about Or a wild goose at play. At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wond'ring much Stop, stop, John Gilpin!-Here's the house They all at once did cry; 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, His horse at last stood still. |