Away went Gilpin-who but he?
His fame foon spread around-
He carries weight! he rides a race!
"Tis for a thousand pound!

And ftill, as faft 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 fhatter'd at a blow.

Down ran the wine into the road,

Moft piteous to be seen,

Which made his horfe's flanks to smoke

As they had bafted been.

But ftill he feem'd to carry weight,

With leathern girdle brac'd;

For all might see the bottle-necks
Still dangling at his waift.

Thus all through merry Islington
These gambols he did play,

And till he came unto the Wath
Of Edmonton fo 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, ftop, 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 fwift he flew,
Shot by an archer ftrong;

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 ftill.

The calender, amaz'd to see

His neighbour in such trim,

Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate,
And thus accofted him :-

What news? what news? your tidings tell;

Tell me you muft and fhall

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 guife 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 ftraight he came with hat and wig;
A wig that flow'd behind,

A bat not much the worse for wear,
Each comely in its kind.

He held them up, and, in his turn,
Thus fhow'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 ftop and eat, for well you may
Be in a hungry cafe.

Said John-It is my wedding-day,

And all the world would ftare If wife fhould dine at Edmonton And I fhould dine at Ware!

So, turning to his horfe, he faid-
I am in hafte to dine;

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

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

Whereat his horfe did fnort, 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 loft them fooner than at firft

For why?-they were too big!