Would put it to the touch.

A church-bell clanging, scared his steed,

Pigs dashed betwixt its feet;

And on his own beloved North Road,

JOHN almost lost his seat.

On the North Road, his sometime friends,

Their sometime favourite spied,

Well-nigh dismounted, wondering much,

To see how he did ride.

"Ride straight, JOHN GILPIN—for the House!"