OCR Output

THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN. 275

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.

18—2