So like an arrow swift he flew,

Shot by an archer strong;

So did he fly-which brings me to

The middle of my fong.

Away went Gilpin, out of breath,
And fore against his will,

Till at his friend the Callender's
His horse at laft ftood still.

The Callender, amaz'd to fee

His neighbour in fuch trim,

Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate,

And thus accofted 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?

VOL. II.

A a

Now

Whence ftrait he came with hat and wig,

A wig that flow'd behind,

A hat not much the worfe for wear,

Each comely in its kind.

He

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 fcrape 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 ftare,

If wife fhould dine at Edmonton
And I fhould dine at Ware.

So turning to his horfe, he faid,

I am in hafte to dine;

'Twas for your pleasure you came here,

You fhall go back for mine.

Ah luckless speech, and bootlefs boast!

For which he paid full dear;

For while he spake, a braying ass

Did fing moft loud and clear;

Whereat his horfe did fnort 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 loft them fooner than at first,
For why? they were too big.

Now, Mistress Gilpin, when fhe faw
Her husband pofting 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 fhall be your's when you bring back

My husband safe and well.

The youth did ride, and foon 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 fafter run.

Away went Gilpin, and away

Went post-boy at his heels,

The post-boy's horfe right glad to miss

The lumb'ring of the wheels.

Six