But still he seem'd to carry weight,
With leathern girdle braced;

For all might see the bottle-necks

Still dangling at his waist.

Thus all through merry Islington

These gambols he did play,

Until he came unto the Wash

Of Edmonton so gay.

And there he threw the wash about

On both sides 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, wondering much

To see how he did ride.

"Stop, stop, John Gilpin !—here's the house!"

Away went Gilpin, out of breath,
And sore against his will;
Till at his friend the calender's

His horse at last stood still.

The calender, amazed to see

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 bareheaded you are come,

Or why you come at all?"

Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit,
And loved a timely joke;

And thus unto the calender

In merry guise he spoke :

"I came because your horse would come;

And, if I well forbode,

My hat and wig will soon be here—

They are upon the road."

The calender, right glad to find

His friend in merry pin,

Returned him not a single word,

But to the house went in;

M

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 yours,
Therefore they needs must fit.

"But let me scrape the dirt away That hangs upon your face;

And stop and eat, for well you may

Be in a hungry case."

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 said,

"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 sing most loud and clear;