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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, wond'ring much

To see how he did ride.

Stop, stop, John Gilpin!-Here's the house

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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 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, amaz'd 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 bare-headed you are come,

Or why you come at all.

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Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit,

And lov'd 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;

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 your's,
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

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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, mistress Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down

Into the country far away,

She pull'd out half a crown;

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