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 seen,
Which made his horse's flanks to smoke
As they had bafted been.

But still he seem'd to carry weight,
With leathern girdle brac'd;
For all might fee the bottle-necks
Still dangling at his waist.

Thus all through merry Islington
These gambols he did play,
And till he came unto the Wash

Of Edmonton so gay.

And there he threw the wafh about

On both fides of the way, Just like unto a trundling mop, Or a wild goose at play.

At Edmonton his loving wife
From the balcony spied

Her tender husband, wond'ring much
To fee 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
Inclin'd to tarry there;

For why?-his owner had a house
Full ten miles off, at Ware.

So like an arrow swift he flew,

Shot by an archer strong;

So did he fly-which brings me to
The middle of my fong.

Away went Gilpin, out of breath,
And fore against his will,

Till at his friend the calender's

His horfe at last stood still.

The calender, amaz'd to fee

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 bare-headed you are come,
Or why you come at all.

Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit,
And lov'd a timely joke;
And thus unto the calender
In merry guise he spoke:-

I came because your horse would come;
And, if I well forebode,

My hat and wig will foon be here-
They are upon the road.

The calender, right glad to find
His friend in merry pin,

Return'd him not a single word,
But to the house went in;

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,
Thus show'd his ready wit-
My head is twice as big as your's,
They therefore needs must fit.

But let me fcrape the dirt away
That hangs upon your face;
And stop and eat, for well you may
Be in a hungry cafe.

Said John-It is my wedding-day,
And all the world would stare
If wife should dine at Edmonton
And I should dine at Ware!

So, turning to his horse, he faid-
I am in haste to dine;

'Twas for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine.

Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast!
For which he paid full dear;
For, while he spake, a braying ass
Did fing moft loud and clear;

Whereat his horse did snort, as he
Had heard a lion roar,
And gallop'd off with all his might,
As he had done before.

Away went Gilpin, and away
Went Gilpin's hat and wig!

He lost them sooner than at first-
For why?-they were too big!