[Illustration]

    ’Twas long before the customers
      Were suited to their mind,
    When Betty screaming came downstairs,
      “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 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 be
      Equipped from top to toe,
    His long red cloak, well brushed 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.

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    But finding soon a smoother road
      Beneath his well-shod feet,
    The snorting beast began to trot,
      Which galled him in his seat.

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    “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 grasped 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.

    [Illustration]

    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.

    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-men
      Their gates wide open threw.

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    And now, as he went bowing down
      His reeking head full low,
    The bottles twain behind his back
      Were shattered at a blow.