But finding soon a smoother road Beneath his well-shod feet, The snorting beast began to trot, Which gall’d 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 must Who cannot sit upright, He grasp’d 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.
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 scream’d, 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.