Midas revives Marygold by sprinkling water over her
For Marygold did not know that she had been a little golden statue; nor could she remember any thing that had happened since the moment when she ran with outstretched arms to comfort poor King Midas.
Her father did not think it necessary to tell his beloved child how very foolish he had been, but contented himself with showing how much wiser he had now grown.For this purpose, he led little Marygold into the garden, where he sprinkled all the remainder of the water over the rose-bushes, and with such good effect that above five thousand roses recovered their beautiful bloom. There were two circumstances, however, which, as long as he lived, used to remind King Midas of the Golden Touch. One was, that the sands of the river in which he had bathed, sparkled like gold; the other, that little Marygold’s hair had now a golden tinge, which he had never observed in it before she had been changed by the effect of his kiss. This change of hue was really an improvement, and made Marygold’s hair richer than in her babyhood.
When King Midas had grown quite an old man, and used to take Marygold’s children on his knee, he was fond of telling them this marvellous story, pretty much as I have told it to you. And then would he stroke their glossy ringlets, and tell them that their hair, likewise, had a rich shade of gold, which they had inherited from their mother.
“And, to tell you the truth, my precious little folks,” said King Midas, “ever since that morning, I have hated the very sight of all other gold, save this!”
Life! we’ve been long togetherThrough pleasant and through cloudy weather;’Tis hard to part when friends are dear,—Perhaps ’twill cost a sigh, a tear;Then steal away, give little warning,Choose thine own time;Say not Good Night, but in some brighter climeBid me Good Morning.—Anna Letitia Barbauld.
Life! we’ve been long togetherThrough pleasant and through cloudy weather;’Tis hard to part when friends are dear,—Perhaps ’twill cost a sigh, a tear;Then steal away, give little warning,Choose thine own time;Say not Good Night, but in some brighter climeBid me Good Morning.—Anna Letitia Barbauld.
Life! we’ve been long togetherThrough pleasant and through cloudy weather;’Tis hard to part when friends are dear,—Perhaps ’twill cost a sigh, a tear;Then steal away, give little warning,Choose thine own time;Say not Good Night, but in some brighter climeBid me Good Morning.—Anna Letitia Barbauld.
Life! we’ve been long together
Through pleasant and through cloudy weather;
’Tis hard to part when friends are dear,—
Perhaps ’twill cost a sigh, a tear;
Then steal away, give little warning,
Choose thine own time;
Say not Good Night, but in some brighter clime
Bid me Good Morning.
—Anna Letitia Barbauld.
Showing how he went farther than he intended, and came safe home again.
William Cowper.
Gilpin tearing away from the pub on a horse, scattering geese and a dog in his wake
John Gilpin was a citizenOf credit and renown,A train-band captain eke was heOf famous London town.John Gilpin’s spouse said to her dear,“Though wedded we have beenThese thrice ten tedious years, yet weNo holiday have seen.“To-morrow is our wedding day,And we will then repairUnto the Bell at Edmonton,All in a chaise and pair.“My sister and my sister’s child,Myself and children three,Will fill the chaise; so you must rideOn horseback after we.”He soon replied, “I do admireOf womankind but one;And you are she, my dearest dear,Therefore it shall be done.“I am a linen-draper bold,As all the world doth know,And my good friend the calenderWill lend his horse to go.”Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, “That’s well said;And for that wine is dear.We will be furnished with our own,Which is both bright and clear.”John Gilpin kissed his loving wife;O’erjoyed 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 allowedTo drive up to the door, lest allShould say that she was proud.So three doors off the chaise was stayed,Where they did all get in,—Six precious souls, and all agogTo dash through thick and thin.Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,Were never folks 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 reached had he,His journey to begin,When, turning round his head, he sawThree customers come in.So down he came; for loss of time,Although it grieved him sore,Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,Would trouble him much more.’Twas long before the customersWere 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, Mrs. 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 beEquipped from top to toe,His long red cloak, well-brushed and neat,He manfully did throw.Now see him mounted once againUpon his nimble steed,Full slowly pacing o’er the stones,With caution and good heed.But finding soon a smoother roadBeneath his well-shod feet,The snorting beast began to trot,Which galled 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 mustWho cannot sit upright,He grasped the mane with both his hands,And eke with all his might.His horse, who never in that sortHad handled been before,What thing upon his back had gotDid 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 gayTill, loop and button failing both,At last it flew away.Then might all people well discernThe bottles he had slung,—A bottle swinging at each side,As hath been said or sung.The dogs did bark, the children screamed,Up flew the windows all;And every 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-menTheir gates wide open threw.And now, as he went bowing downHis reeking head full low,The bottles twain behind his backWere shattered at a blow.Down ran the wine into the road,Most piteous to be seen,Which made his horse’s flanks to smokeAs they had basted been.But still he seemed to carry weight,With leathern girdle braced;For all might see the bottle-necksStill dangling at his waist.Thus all through merry IslingtonThese gambols did he play,Until he came unto the WashOf Edmonton so gay;And there he threw the Wash aboutOn both sides of the way,Just like unto a trundling mop,Or a wild goose at play.At Edmonton, his loving wifeFrom the balcony espiedHer tender husband, wondering muchTo see how he did ride.“Stop, stop, John Gilpin:—Here’s the house!”They all at once did cry;“The dinner waits, and we are tired.”Said Gilpin,—“So am I!”But yet his horse was not a whitInclined to tarry there!For why?—his owner had a houseFull ten miles off, at Ware.So like an arrow swift he flew,Shot by an archer strong;So did he fly—which brings me toThe middle of my song.Away went Gilpin, out of breath,And sore against his will,Till at his friend the calender’sHis horse at last stood still.The calender, amazed to seeHis neighbor 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 calenderIn 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 findHis friend in merry pin,Returned him not a single word,But to the house went in;Whence straight he came with hat and wig,A wig that flowed behind,A hat not much the worse for wear,Each comely in its kind.He held them up, and in his turn,Thus showed 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 mayBe 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 assDid sing most loud and clear;Whereat his horse did snort, as heHad heard a lion roar,And galloped off with all his might,As he had done before.Away went Gilpin, and awayWent Gilpin’s hat and wig;He lost them sooner than at first;For why?—they were too big.Now, mistress Gilpin, when she sawHer husband posting downInto the country—far away,She pulled 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.”The youth did ride, and soon did meetJohn coming back amain;Whom in a trice he tried to stop,By catching at his rein;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 awayWent postboy at his heels,—The postboy’s horse right glad to missThe lumbering of the wheels.Six gentlemen upon the road,Thus seeing Gilpin fly,With postboy 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 passed that wayDid join in the pursuit.And now the turnpike-gates againFlew 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 stopped till where he had got upHe 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!
John Gilpin was a citizenOf credit and renown,A train-band captain eke was heOf famous London town.John Gilpin’s spouse said to her dear,“Though wedded we have beenThese thrice ten tedious years, yet weNo holiday have seen.“To-morrow is our wedding day,And we will then repairUnto the Bell at Edmonton,All in a chaise and pair.“My sister and my sister’s child,Myself and children three,Will fill the chaise; so you must rideOn horseback after we.”He soon replied, “I do admireOf womankind but one;And you are she, my dearest dear,Therefore it shall be done.“I am a linen-draper bold,As all the world doth know,And my good friend the calenderWill lend his horse to go.”Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, “That’s well said;And for that wine is dear.We will be furnished with our own,Which is both bright and clear.”John Gilpin kissed his loving wife;O’erjoyed 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 allowedTo drive up to the door, lest allShould say that she was proud.So three doors off the chaise was stayed,Where they did all get in,—Six precious souls, and all agogTo dash through thick and thin.Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,Were never folks 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 reached had he,His journey to begin,When, turning round his head, he sawThree customers come in.So down he came; for loss of time,Although it grieved him sore,Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,Would trouble him much more.’Twas long before the customersWere 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, Mrs. 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 beEquipped from top to toe,His long red cloak, well-brushed and neat,He manfully did throw.Now see him mounted once againUpon his nimble steed,Full slowly pacing o’er the stones,With caution and good heed.But finding soon a smoother roadBeneath his well-shod feet,The snorting beast began to trot,Which galled 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 mustWho cannot sit upright,He grasped the mane with both his hands,And eke with all his might.His horse, who never in that sortHad handled been before,What thing upon his back had gotDid 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 gayTill, loop and button failing both,At last it flew away.Then might all people well discernThe bottles he had slung,—A bottle swinging at each side,As hath been said or sung.The dogs did bark, the children screamed,Up flew the windows all;And every 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-menTheir gates wide open threw.And now, as he went bowing downHis reeking head full low,The bottles twain behind his backWere shattered at a blow.Down ran the wine into the road,Most piteous to be seen,Which made his horse’s flanks to smokeAs they had basted been.But still he seemed to carry weight,With leathern girdle braced;For all might see the bottle-necksStill dangling at his waist.Thus all through merry IslingtonThese gambols did he play,Until he came unto the WashOf Edmonton so gay;And there he threw the Wash aboutOn both sides of the way,Just like unto a trundling mop,Or a wild goose at play.At Edmonton, his loving wifeFrom the balcony espiedHer tender husband, wondering muchTo see how he did ride.“Stop, stop, John Gilpin:—Here’s the house!”They all at once did cry;“The dinner waits, and we are tired.”Said Gilpin,—“So am I!”But yet his horse was not a whitInclined to tarry there!For why?—his owner had a houseFull ten miles off, at Ware.So like an arrow swift he flew,Shot by an archer strong;So did he fly—which brings me toThe middle of my song.Away went Gilpin, out of breath,And sore against his will,Till at his friend the calender’sHis horse at last stood still.The calender, amazed to seeHis neighbor 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 calenderIn 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 findHis friend in merry pin,Returned him not a single word,But to the house went in;Whence straight he came with hat and wig,A wig that flowed behind,A hat not much the worse for wear,Each comely in its kind.He held them up, and in his turn,Thus showed 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 mayBe 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 assDid sing most loud and clear;Whereat his horse did snort, as heHad heard a lion roar,And galloped off with all his might,As he had done before.Away went Gilpin, and awayWent Gilpin’s hat and wig;He lost them sooner than at first;For why?—they were too big.Now, mistress Gilpin, when she sawHer husband posting downInto the country—far away,She pulled 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.”The youth did ride, and soon did meetJohn coming back amain;Whom in a trice he tried to stop,By catching at his rein;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 awayWent postboy at his heels,—The postboy’s horse right glad to missThe lumbering of the wheels.Six gentlemen upon the road,Thus seeing Gilpin fly,With postboy 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 passed that wayDid join in the pursuit.And now the turnpike-gates againFlew 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 stopped till where he had got upHe 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!
John Gilpin was a citizenOf credit and renown,A train-band captain eke was heOf famous London town.
John Gilpin was a citizen
Of credit and renown,
A train-band captain eke was he
Of famous London town.
John Gilpin’s spouse said to her dear,“Though wedded we have beenThese thrice ten tedious years, yet weNo holiday have seen.
John Gilpin’s spouse said to her dear,
“Though wedded we have been
These thrice ten tedious years, yet we
No holiday have seen.
“To-morrow is our wedding day,And we will then repairUnto the Bell at Edmonton,All in a chaise and pair.
“To-morrow is our wedding day,
And we will then repair
Unto the Bell at Edmonton,
All in a chaise and pair.
“My sister and my sister’s child,Myself and children three,Will fill the chaise; so you must rideOn horseback after we.”
“My sister and my sister’s child,
Myself and children three,
Will fill the chaise; so you must ride
On horseback after we.”
He soon replied, “I do admireOf womankind but one;And you are she, my dearest dear,Therefore it shall be done.
He soon replied, “I do admire
Of womankind but one;
And you are she, my dearest dear,
Therefore it shall be done.
“I am a linen-draper bold,As all the world doth know,And my good friend the calenderWill lend his horse to go.”
“I am a linen-draper bold,
As all the world doth know,
And my good friend the calender
Will lend his horse to go.”
Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, “That’s well said;And for that wine is dear.We will be furnished with our own,Which is both bright and clear.”
Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, “That’s well said;
And for that wine is dear.
We will be furnished with our own,
Which is both bright and clear.”
John Gilpin kissed his loving wife;O’erjoyed was he to find,That though on pleasure she was bent,She had a frugal mind.
John Gilpin kissed his loving wife;
O’erjoyed 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 allowedTo drive up to the door, lest allShould say that she was proud.
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 stayed,Where they did all get in,—Six precious souls, and all agogTo dash through thick and thin.
So three doors off the chaise was stayed,
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 folks so glad!The stones did rattle underneath,As if Cheapside were mad.
Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,
Were never folks 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:—
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 reached had he,His journey to begin,When, turning round his head, he sawThree customers come in.
For saddle-tree scarce reached had he,
His journey to begin,
When, turning round his head, he saw
Three customers come in.
So down he came; for loss of time,Although it grieved him sore,Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,Would trouble him much more.
So down he came; for loss of time,
Although it grieved him sore,
Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,
Would trouble him much more.
’Twas long before the customersWere suited to their mind,When Betty, screaming, came down stairs,“The wine is left behind!”
’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.”
“Good-lack!” quoth he, “yet bring it me,
My leathern belt likewise,
In which I bear my trusty sword,
When I do exercise.”
Now, Mrs. Gilpin (careful soul!)Had two stone bottles found,To hold the liquor that she loved,And keep it safe and sound.
Now, Mrs. 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.
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 beEquipped from top to toe,His long red cloak, well-brushed and neat,He manfully did throw.
Then over all, that he might be
Equipped from top to toe,
His long red cloak, well-brushed and neat,
He manfully did throw.
Now see him mounted once againUpon his nimble steed,Full slowly pacing o’er the stones,With caution and good heed.
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 roadBeneath his well-shod feet,The snorting beast began to trot,Which galled him in his seat.
But finding soon a smoother road
Beneath his well-shod feet,
The snorting beast began to trot,
Which galled 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,“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 mustWho cannot sit upright,He grasped the mane with both his hands,And eke with all his might.
So, stooping down, as needs he must
Who cannot sit upright,
He grasped the mane with both his hands,
And eke with all his might.
His horse, who never in that sortHad handled been before,What thing upon his back had gotDid wonder more and more.
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.
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 gayTill, loop and button failing both,At last it flew away.
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 discernThe bottles he had slung,—A bottle swinging at each side,As hath been said or sung.
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 screamed,Up flew the windows all;And every soul cried out, “Well done!”As loud as he could bawl.
The dogs did bark, the children screamed,
Up flew the windows all;
And every 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!”
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-menTheir gates wide open threw.
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 downHis reeking head full low,The bottles twain behind his backWere shattered at a blow.
And now, as he went bowing down
His reeking head full low,
The bottles twain behind his back
Were shattered at a blow.
Down ran the wine into the road,Most piteous to be seen,Which made his horse’s flanks to smokeAs they had basted been.
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 seemed to carry weight,With leathern girdle braced;For all might see the bottle-necksStill dangling at his waist.
But still he seemed to carry weight,
With leathern girdle braced;
For all might see the bottle-necks
Still dangling at his waist.
Thus all through merry IslingtonThese gambols did he play,Until he came unto the WashOf Edmonton so gay;
Thus all through merry Islington
These gambols did he play,
Until he came unto the Wash
Of Edmonton so gay;
And there he threw the Wash aboutOn both sides of the way,Just like unto a trundling mop,Or a wild goose at play.
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 wifeFrom the balcony espiedHer tender husband, wondering muchTo see how he did ride.
At Edmonton, his loving wife
From the balcony espied
Her tender husband, wondering much
To see how he did ride.
“Stop, stop, John Gilpin:—Here’s the house!”They all at once did cry;“The dinner waits, and we are tired.”Said Gilpin,—“So am I!”
“Stop, stop, John Gilpin:—Here’s the house!”
They all at once did cry;
“The dinner waits, and we are tired.”
Said Gilpin,—“So am I!”
But yet his horse was not a whitInclined to tarry there!For why?—his owner had a houseFull ten miles off, at Ware.
But yet his horse was not a whit
Inclined 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 toThe middle of my song.
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’sHis horse at last stood still.
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 seeHis neighbor in such trim,Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate,And thus accosted him:
The calender, amazed to see
His neighbor 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!”
“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 calenderIn merry guise he spoke:
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.”
“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 findHis friend in merry pin,Returned him not a single word,But to the house went in;
The calender, right glad to find
His friend in merry pin,
Returned him not a single word,
But to the house went in;
Whence straight he came with hat and wig,A wig that flowed behind,A hat not much the worse for wear,Each comely in its kind.
Whence straight he came with hat and wig,
A wig that flowed behind,
A hat not much the worse for wear,
Each comely in its kind.
He held them up, and in his turn,Thus showed his ready wit:“My head is twice as big as yours.They therefore needs must fit.
He held them up, and in his turn,
Thus showed 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 mayBe in a hungry case.”
“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.”
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.”
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 assDid sing most loud and clear;
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 heHad heard a lion roar,And galloped off with all his might,As he had done before.
Whereat his horse did snort, as he
Had heard a lion roar,
And galloped off with all his might,
As he had done before.
Away went Gilpin, and awayWent Gilpin’s hat and wig;He lost them sooner than at first;For why?—they were too big.
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 sawHer husband posting downInto the country—far away,She pulled out half-a-crown;
Now, mistress Gilpin, when she saw
Her husband posting down
Into the country—far away,
She pulled 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.”
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.”
The youth did ride, and soon did meetJohn coming back amain;Whom in a trice he tried to stop,By catching at his rein;
The youth did ride, and soon did meet
John coming back amain;
Whom in a trice he tried to stop,
By catching at his rein;
But, not performing what he meant,And gladly would have done,The frighted steed he frighted more,And made him faster run.
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 awayWent postboy at his heels,—The postboy’s horse right glad to missThe lumbering of the wheels.
Away went Gilpin, and away
Went postboy at his heels,—
The postboy’s horse right glad to miss
The lumbering of the wheels.
Six gentlemen upon the road,Thus seeing Gilpin fly,With postboy scampering in the rear,They raised the hue and cry:
Six gentlemen upon the road,
Thus seeing Gilpin fly,
With postboy 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 passed that wayDid join in the pursuit.
“Stop, thief! stop, thief!—a highwayman!”
Not one of them was mute;
And all and each that passed that way
Did join in the pursuit.
And now the turnpike-gates againFlew open in short space;The toll-men thinking as before,That Gilpin rode a race.
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 stopped till where he had got upHe did again get down.
And so he did, and won it too,
For he got first to town;
Nor stopped 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!
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!