'Twas long before the customers

Were suited to their mind,

When Betty screaming came down stairs

"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 lov'd,
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;

That 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,

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.

But still he seem'd to carry weight,

With leathern girdle brac'd;

For all might see 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.