Read Ebook: The Diverting History of John Gilpin by Cowper William

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So like an arrow swift he flew, Shot by an archer strong; So did he fly--which brings me to The middle of my song.

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 forebode, My hat and wig will soon 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;

Thence 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, They therefore 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.

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.

Now Mrs. Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the country far away, She pull'd out half-a-crown;

And thus unto the youth she said, That drove them to the Bell, This shall be yours when you bring back My husband safe and well.

But not performing what he meant, And gladly would have done, The frighted steed he frighted more, And made him faster run.

Away went Gilpin, and away Went post-boy at his heels. The post-boy's horse right glad to miss The lumbering of the wheels.

Six gentlemen upon the road, Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With post-boy scampering in the rear, They raised the hue and cry:--

Stop thief! stop thief!--a highwayman! Not one of them was mute; And all and each that pass'd that way Did join in the pursuit.

And now the turnpike gates again Flew open in short space; The toll-men thinking, as before, That Gilpin rode a race.

And so he did, and won it too, For he got first to town; Nor stopp'd till where he had got up He did again get down.

Now let us sing, long live the king! And Gilpin, long live he; And when he next doth ride abroad, May I be there to see!

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS