And keep it safe and sound.

Each bottle had a curling ear,
Through which the belt he drew,
And hung a bottle at each side,
To keep his balance true.

Then, over all, that he might be
Equipped from top to toe,
His long green cloak, well-brushed and neat,
He manfully did throw.

Now see him mounted once again
Upon his docile steed,
Full slowly pacing o'er the stones,
With caution and good heed.

It might have been a smoother road,
Nor was it nice to meet
First off, a Pig, who GILPIN bold
With stubborn grunt did greet.

So fair and softly! JOHNY cried,
But--

[_Here the fragment, so far as at present discovered, abruptly
endeth._

* * * * *