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 allowed

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 stones did rattle underneath,

As if Cheapside were mad.

John Gilpin at his horse's side.

Seized fast the flowing mane; And up he got, in haste to ride, But soon came down again;

For saddle-tree scarce reach'd had he,

His journey to begin,

When, turning round his head, he saw

Three customers come in.

'Twas long before the customers

Were suited to their mind,

When Betty screaming came down stair

"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 soul !)
Had two stone-bottles found,

To hold the liquor that she loved,
And keep it safe and sound.

Each bottle had a curling ear,

Through which the belt he drew,

And hung a bottle on each side,

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 slowly pacing o'er the stones

With caution and good heed.

But finding soon a smoother road
Beneath his well-shod feet,

The snorting beast began to trot,
Which gall'd him in his seat.

So, "Fair and softly," John he cried,
But John he cried in vain;
The trot became a gallop soon,
In spite of curb and rein.

So stooping down, as needs he must

Who cannot sit upright,

He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, And eke with all his might.

His horse, who never in that sort
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 discern

The bottles he had slung;

A bottle swinging at each side,

As hath been said or sung.

The dogs did bark, the children scream'd,

Up flew the windows all;

And ev'ry soul cried out, "Well done!"

As loud as he could bawl.

Away went Gilpin-who but he?
His fame soon 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 basted been.