Part 5

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 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.

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 the horses 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-necks Still dangling at his waist.

Thus all through merry Islington These gambols he did play, Until he came unto the Wash Of Edmonton so gay;

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, 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!"

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 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, amazed 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 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 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, 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 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."

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 ass Did sing most loud and clear;

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 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 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 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.

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.

"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 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 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.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high. Like a diamond in the sky.

When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

Then the traveller in the dark Thanks you for your tiny spark: How could he see where to go, If you did not twinkle so?

In the dark blue sky you keep, Often through my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark Lights the traveller in the dark, Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Charley, Charley, stole the barley Out of the baker's shop; The baker came out, and gave him a clout, And made poor Charley hop.

A, B, C, tumble down D, The cat's in the cupboard and can't see me.

Elizabeth, Elspeth, Betsy, and Bess, They all went together to seek a bird's nest, They found a bird's nest with five eggs in; They all took one, and left four in.

Up hill and down dale, Butter is made in every vale; And if Nancy Cook Is a good girl, She shall have a spouse, And make butter anon, Before her old grandmother Grows a young man.

To market, to market, a gallop, a trot, To buy some meat to put in the pot; Threepence a quarter, fourpence a side, If it hadn't been killed it must have died.

Apple-pie, pudding, and pancake, All begins with A.

My little old man and I fell out; I'll tell you what 'twas all about,-- I had money and he had none, And that's the way the noise begun.

I love little Pussy, her coat is so warm, And if I don't hurt her, she'll do me no harm. I'll sit by the fire, and give her some food, And Pussy will love me, because I am good.

Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief, Taffy came to my house, And stole a leg of beef.

I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not at home; Taffy came to my house And stole a marrow-bone.

I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was in bed; I took the marrow-bone, And broke Taffy's head.

A farmer went trotting upon his grey mare, Bumpety, bumpety, bump! With his daughter behind him so rosy and fair, Lumpety, lumpety, lump!

A raven cried croak! and they all tumbled down, Bumpety, bumpety, bump! The mare broke her knees, and the farmer his crown, Lumpety, lumpety, lump!

The mischievous raven flew laughing away, Bumpety, bumpety, bump! And vowed he would serve them the same the next day, Lumpety, lumpety, lump!

Little Betty Blue Lost her holiday shoe, What can little Betty do? Give her another To match the other, And then she may walk in two.

Hush-a-bye, baby, lie still with thy daddy, Thy mammy is gone to the mill, To get some meal to bake a cake, So pray, my dear baby, lie still.

You shall have an apple, You shall have a plum, You shall have a rattle-basket, When papa comes home.

A MAN OF WORDS AND NOT OF DEEDS.

A MAN of words and not of deeds Is like a garden full of weeds; And when the weeds begin to grow, It's like a garden full of snow; And when the snow begins to fall, It's like a bird upon the wall; And when the bird away does fly, It's like an eagle in the sky; And when the sky begins to roar, It's like a lion at the door; And when the door begins to crack, It's like a stick across your back; And when your back begins to smart, It's like a penknife in your heart; And when your heart begins to bleed, You're dead, and dead, and dead indeed.

Poor Dog Bright, Ran off with all his might, Because the cat was after him, Poor Dog Bright.

Poor Cat Fright, Ran off with all her might, Because the dog was after her, Poor Cat Fright.

As I was going up Pippin Hill, Pippin Hill was dirty, There I met a pretty miss, And she dropped me a curtsey.

Early to bed, and early to rise, Is the way to be healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Old woman, old woman, shall we go a-shearing? Speak a little louder, sir, I am very thick o' hearing. Old woman, old woman, shall I kiss you dearly? Thank you, kind sir, I hear very clearly.

The Cuckoo's a bonny bird, She sings as she flies, She brings us good tidings, And tells us no lies. She sucks little birds' eggs, To make her voice clear, And never cries "Cuckoo!" Till spring-time of the year.

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man, Bake me a cake as fast as you can; Prick it and pat it, and mark it with G; And put it in the oven for Teddy and me.

Pussy-cat ate the dumplings, the dumplings; Pussy-cat ate the dumplings. Mamma stood by, and cried, "Oh, fie! Why did you eat the dumplings?"

Needles and pins, needles and pins, When a man marries his trouble begins.

For every evil under the sun, There is a remedy, or there is none. If there be one, try and find it; If there be none, never mind it.

Three children sliding on the ice, All on a summer's day, As it fell out they all fell in, The rest they ran away.

Now had these children been at home, Or sliding on dry ground, Ten thousand pounds to one penny They had not all been drowned.

You parents all that children have, And you, too, that have none, If you would have them safe abroad, Pray keep them safe at home.

THE WONDERFUL DERBY RAM.

AS I was going to Derby all on a market day, I met the finest ram, sir, that ever was fed upon hay; Upon hay, upon hay, upon hay; I met the finest ram, sir, that ever was fed upon hay.

This ram was fat behind, sir, this ram was fat before; This ram was ten yards round, sir; indeed he was no more; No more, no more, no more; This ram was ten yards round, sir; indeed he was no more.

The horns that grew on his head, sir, they were so wondrous high, As I've been plainly told, sir, they reached up to the sky; The sky, the sky, the sky; As I've been plainly told, sir, they reached up to the sky.

The tail that grew from his back, sir, was six yards and an ell; And it was sent to Derby to toll the market bell; The bell, the bell, the bell; And it was sent to Derby to toll the market bell.

My Lady Wind, my Lady Wind, Went round about the house, to find A chink to get her foot in; She tried the keyhole in the door, She tried the crevice in the floor, And drove the chimney soot in.

And then one night when it was dark, She blew up such a tiny spark, That all the house was pothered; From it she raised up such a flame As flamed away to Belting Lane, And White Cross folks were smothered.

And thus when once, my little dears, A whisper reaches itching ears, The same will come, you'll find; Take my advice, restrain your tongue, Remember what old Nurse has sung Of busy Lady Wind.

Bow-wow-wow! Whose dog art thou? Little Tom Tucker's dog. Bow-wow-wow!

Let us go to the woods, says this pig. What to do there? says this pig. To seek mamma, says this pig. What to do with her? says this pig. To kiss her, to kiss her, says this pig.

JENNY SHALL HAVE A NEW BONNET.

JENNY shall have a new bonnet, And Jenny shall go to the fair, And Jenny shall have a blue ribbon To tie up her bonny brown hair.

And why may not I love Jenny? And why may not Jenny love me? And why may not I love Jenny, As well as another body?

And here's a leg for a stocking, And here is a leg for a shoe, And she has a kiss for her daddy, And two for her mammy, I trow.

And why may not I love Jenny? And why may not Jenny love me? And why may not I love Jenny, As well as another body?

Nievie, nievie, nicknack, Which hand will ye tak'? Tak' the right, or tak' the wrang, I'll beguile ye, if I can.

Oh, mother, I'm to be married to Mr. Punchinello; To Mr. Pun, to Mr. Chin, to Mr. Nel, to Mr. Lo, Mr. Pun, Mr. Chin, Mr. Nel, Mr. Lo, to Mr. Punchinello.

Rain, rain, go to Spain, And never come back again.

Up hill spare me, Down hill 'ware me, On level ground spare me not, And in the stable forget me not.

When little Fred went to bed, He always said his prayers; He kissed mamma, and then papa, And straightway went upstairs.

Bless you, bless you, bonny bee: Say, when will your wedding be? If it be to-morrow day, Take your wings and fly away.

Jack Sprat's pig, He was not very little, Nor yet very big; He was not very lean, He was not very fat, He'll do well for a grunt, Says little Jack Sprat.

Rain, rain, Go away, Come again April day; Little Johnny Wants to play.

A little cock sparrow sat on a tree, Looking as happy as happy could be, Till a boy came by with his bow and arrow, Says he, I will shoot the little cock sparrow.

His body will make me a nice little stew, And his giblets will make me a little pie, too. Says the little cock sparrow, I'll be shot if I stay, So he clapped his wings, and flew away.

The rose is red, the violet's blue; The pink is sweet, and so are you.

"We'll go a-shooting," says Robin to Bobbin, "We'll go a-shooting," says Richard to John; "We'll go a-shooting," says John, all alone; "We'll go a-shooting," says every one.

Valentine, oh, Valentine, Curl your locks as I do mine; Two before and two behind; Good morrow to you, Valentine.

Mr. Isbister, and Betsy his sister, Resolve upon giving a treat; So letters they write, Their friends to invite To their house in Great Camomile Street.

Little Bo-peep fell fast asleep, And dreamt she heard them bleating; But when she awoke she found it a joke, For still they all were fleeting.

Then up she took her little crook, Determined for to find them; She found 'em indeed, but it made her heart bleed, For they'd left their tails behind 'em.

It happened one day, as Bo-peep did stray Unto a meadow hard by, There she espied their tails, side by side, All hung on a tree to dry.

Then she heaved a sigh, and wiped her eye, And ran o'er hill and dale-o, And tried what she could, as a shepherdess should, To tack to each sheep its tail-o.

As I was going to St. Ives, I met a man with seven wives, Every wife had seven sacks, Every sack had seven cats, Every cat had seven kits. Kits, cats, sacks, and wives, How many were there going to St. Ives?

Go to bed first, a golden purse; Go to bed second, a golden pheasant; Go to bed third, a golden bird.

There was an old woman, and what do you think? She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink; Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet, Yet the plaguey old woman would never be quiet.

She went to the baker's to buy some bread; And when she came home her husband was dead. She went to the clerk, to toll the great bell; And when she came back, her husband was well.

Some little mice sat in a barn to spin, Pussy came by, and she popped her head in. "Shall I come in and cut your threads off?" "Oh, no, kind sir, you will snap our heads off."

* * * * *

Transcriber's Notes:

There seemed to be no rhyme nor reason to which poems began with smallcaps, (represented in this text version as ALLCAPS), and which did not. Without a clear pattern to follow, this was retained as printed.

Page 82, word "a" added to text. Original read (There was jockey) now reads (There was a jockey)

Page 227, "he" changed to "she" (she fought for her)

End of Project Gutenberg's Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes, by Walter Crane