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, Where they did all get in; 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 ftones did rattle underneath
As if Cheapfide were mad.
John Gilpin at his horse's fide
Seiz'd fast the flowing mane, And up he got, in haste to ride, But foon came down again;
For faddle-tree scarce reach'd had he, His journey to begin,
When, turning round his head, he saw Three customers come in.
So down he came; for loss of time, Although it griev'd him fore; Yet lofs of pence, full well he knew, Would trouble him much more.
"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 foul!) Had two ftone bottles found, To hold the liquor that she lov'd, And keep it safe and found.
Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, And hung a bottle on each fide, To make his balance true.
Then, over all, that he might be
Equipp'd from top to toe, His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat, He manfully did throw.
Now see him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed, Full lowly pacing o'er the ftones With caution and good heed!
But, finding foon, a smoother road Beneath his well-shod feet, The snorting beast began to trot, Which gall'd him in his feat.
So, Fair and softly, John he cried, But John he cried in vain; That trot became a gallop soon, In spite of curb and rein.
So, stooping down, as needs he must Who cannot fit upright, He grafp'd the mane with both his hands, And eke with all his might.
His horfe, who never in that fort Had handled been before, What thing upon his back had got Did wonder more and more.
Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; Away went hat and wig!- He little dreamt, when he set out, Of running such a rig!
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, difcern The bottles he had fslung; A bottle swinging at each fide, As hath been faid or fung.
The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, Up flew the windows all ;
And ev'ry foul cried out-Well done! As loud as he could bawl.
Away went Gilpin-who but he? His fame foon spread around- He carries weight! he rides a race! 'Tis for a thousand pound!
And still, as fast as he drew near, 'Twas wonderful to view How in a trice the turnpike-men Their gates wide open threw.
And now as he went bowing down His reeking head full low, The bottles twain behind his back Were shatter'd at a blow.
Down ran the wine into the road, Most piteous to be feen, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke As they had bafted been.
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