{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch109.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch109.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch109.htm","text":"109A.1 all you lords of Scottland faire,\nAnd ladyes alsoe, bright of blee,\nThere is a ladye amongst them all,\nOf her report you shall heare of me.\n109A.2 Of her bewtye shee is soe bright,\nAnd of her colour soe bright of blee;\nShee is daughter to the Lord Arrndell,\nHis heyre apparrant for to bee.\n109A.3 le see that bryde,\u2019 Lord Phenix sayes,\n\u2019That is a ladye of hye degree,\nAnd iff I like her countenance well,\nThe heyre of all my land shee\u2019st bee\n109A.4 To that ladye fayre Lord Phenix came,\nAnd to that like-some dame said hee,\nNow God thee saue, my ladye faire,\nThe heyre of all my land tho\u2019st bee.\n109A.5 \u2018Leaue of your suite,\u2019 the ladye sayd;\n\u2018You are a lord of honor free;\nYou may gett ladyes enowe att home,\nAnd I haue a lour in mine owne countrye.\n109A.6 \u2018I haue a louer true of mine owne,\nA servinge-man of a small degree;\nThomas a Pott, itt is his name,\nHe is the first loue that euer I had, and the last that hee shalbee.\u2019\n109A.7 \u2018Giue Thomas a Pott then be his name,\nI wott I ken him soe readilye;\nI can spend forty pounds by weeke,\nAnd hee cannott spend pounds three.\u2019\n109A.8 d giue you good of your gold,\u2019 said the ladye,\nHee was the first loue that euer I had,\n\u2018And alsoe, sir, of your fee!\nHee was the first lour that euer I had,\nAnd the last, sir, shall hee bee.\u2019\n109A.9 With that Lord Phenix was sore amoued;\nVnto her father then went hee;\nHee told her father how itt was proued,\nHow that his daughter\u2019s mind was sett.\n109A.10 \u2018Thou art my daughter,\u2019 the Erle of Arrndell said,\n\u2018They heyre of all my land to bee;\nThou\u2019st be bryde to the Lord Phenix,\nDaughter, giue thou\u2019le be heyre to mee.\u2019\n109A.11 For lacke of her loue this ladye must lose,\nHer foolish wooing lay all aside;\nThe day is appoynted, and freinds are agreede;\nShee is forcte to be the Lord Phenix bryde.\n109A.12 With that the lady began to muse-+-\nA greeued woman, God wott, was shee-+-\nHow shee might Lord Phenix beguile,\nAnd scape vnmarryed from him that day.\n109A.13 Shee called to her her litle foote-page,\nTo Iacke her boy, soe tenderlye;\nSayes, Come thou hither, thou litle foote-page,\nFor indeed I dare trust none but thee.\n109A.14 To Strawberry Castle, boy, thou must goe,\nTo Thomas Pott there as hee can bee,\nAnd giue him here this letter faire,\nAnd on Guilford Greene bidd him meete me.\n109A.15 Looke thou marke his contenance well,\nAnd his colour tell to mee;\nAnd hye thee fast, and come againe,\nAnd forty shillings I will giue thee.\n109A.16 For if he blush in his face,\nThen in his hart hee\u2019se sorry bee;\nThen lett my father say what hee will,\nFor false to Potts I\u2019le neuer bee.\n109A.17 And giue hee smile then with his mouth,\nThen in his heart hee\u2019le merry be;\nThen may hee gett him a loue where-euer he can,\nFor small of his companye my part shalbe.\n109A.18 Then one while that the boy hee went,\nAnother while, God wott, rann hee,\nAnd when hee came to Strawberry Castle,\nThere Thomas Potts hee see.\n109A.19 Then he gaue him this letter faire,\nAnd when he began then for to reade,\nThey boy had told him by word of mouth\nHis loue must be the Lord Phenix bryde.\n109A.20 With that, Thomas a Pott began to blushe,\nThe teares trickeled in his eye:\n\u2018Indeed this letter I cannot reede,\nNor neuer a word to see or spye.\n109A.21 \u2018I pray thee, boy, to me thou\u2019le be trew,\nAnd heer\u2019s fiue marke I will giue thee;\nAnd all these words thou must peruse,\nAnd tell thy lady this from mee.\n109A.22 \u2018Tell her by faith and troth shee is mine owne,\nBy some part of promise, and soe itt\u2019s be found;\nLord Phenix shall neuer marry her, by night nor day,\nAnd bidd that ladye for mee pray;\nWithout he can winn her with his hand.\n109A.23 \u2018On Gilford Greene I will her meete,\nAnd bidd that ladye for mee pray;\nFor there I\u2019le loose my liffe soe sweete,\nOr else the wedding I will stay.\u2019\n109A.24 Then backe againe the boy he went,\nAs fast againe as he cold hye;\nThe ladye mett him fiue mile on the way:\n\u2018Why hast hou stayd soe long?\u2019 saies shee.\n109A.25 \u2018Boy,\u2019 said the ladye, \u2019Thou art but younge;\nTo please my mind thou\u2019le mocke and scorne;\nI will not beleeue thee on word of mouth,\nVnlesse on this booke thou wilt be sworne.\u2019\n109A.26 \u2018Marry, by this booke,\u2019 the boy can say,\n\u2018As Christ himselfe be true to mee,\nThomas Pott cold not his letter reade\nFor teares trickling in his eye.\u2019\n109A.27 \u2018If this be true,\u2019 the ladye sayd,\n\u2018Thou bonny boy, thou tells to mee,\nForty shillings I did thee promise,\nBut heere\u2019s ten pounds I\u2019le giue itt thee.\n109A.28 \u2018All my maids,\u2019 the lady sayd,\n\u2019That this day doe waite on mee,\nWee will fall downe vpon our knees,\nFor Thomas Pott now pray will wee.\n109A.29 \u2018If his fortune be now for to winn-+-\nWee will pray to Christ in Trinytye-+-\nI\u2019le make him the flower of all his kinn,\nFfor they Lord of Arrundale he shalbe.\u2019\n109A.30 Now lett vs leaue talking of this ladye faire,\nIn her prayer good where shee can bee;\nAnd I\u2019le tell you hou Thomas Pott\nFor ayd to his lord and master came hee.\n109A.31 And when hee came Lord Iockye before,\nHe kneeled him low downe on his knee;\nSaies, Thou art welcome, Thomas Pott,\nThou art allwayes full of thy curtesye.\n109A.32 Has thou slaine any of thy fellowes,\nOr hast thou wrought me some villanye?\n\u2018Sir, none of my fellowes I haue slaine,\nNor I haue wrought you noe villanye.\n109A.33 \u2018But I haue a loue in Scottland faire,\nI doubt I must lose her through pouertye;\nIf you will not beleeue me by word of mouth,\nBehold the letter shee writt vnto mee.\u2019\n109A.34 When Lord Iockye looked the letter vpon,\nThe tender words in itt cold bee,\n\u2018Thomas Pott, take thou no care,\nThou\u2019st neuer loose her throughe pouertye.\n\u2018Thomas Pott, take thou no care,\nThou\u2019st neuer loose her throughe pouertye.\n109A.35 \u2018Thou shalt have forty pounds a weeke,\nIn gold and siluer thou shalt rowe,\nAnd Harbye towne I will thee allowe\nAs longe as thou dost meane to wooe.\n109A.36 \u2018Thou shalt haue fortye of thy fellowes faire,\nAnd forty horsse to goe with thee,\nAnd forty speares of the best I haue,\nAnd I my-selfe in thy companye.\u2019\n109A.37 \u2018I thanke you, master,\u2019 sayd Thomas Pott,\n\u2018Neither man nor boy shall goe with mee;\nI wold not for a thousand pounds\nTake one man in my companye.\u2019\n109A.38 \u2018Why then, God be with thee, Thomas Pott!\nThou art well knowen and proued for a man;\nLooke thou shedd no guiltlesse bloode,\nNor neuer confound no gentlman.\n109A.39 \u2018But looke thou take with him some truce,\nApoint a place of lybertye;\nLett him provide as well as hee cann,\nAnd as well provided thou shalt bee.\u2019\n109A.40 And when Thomas Pott came to Gilford Greene,\nAnd walked there a litle beside,\nThen was hee ware of the lord Phenix,\nAnd with him Ladye Rozamund his bryde.\n109A.41 Away by the bryde rode Thomas of Pott,\nBut noe word to her that he did say;\n?? Away by the bryde rode Thomas of Pott,\nBut noe word to her that he did say;\nBut when he came Lord Phenix before,\nHe gaue him the right time of the day.\n109A.42 \u2018O thou art welcome, Thomas a Potts,\nHow fares they lord and master att home,\nThou serving-man, welcome to mee!\nHow fares they lord and master att home,\nAnd all the ladyes in thy cuntrye?\u2019\n109A.43 \u2018Sir, my lord and my master is in verry good health,\nI wott I ken itt soe readylye;\nI pray you, will you ryde to one outsyde,\nA word or towe to talke with mee.\n109A.44 \u2018You are a nobleman,\u2019 sayd Thomas a Potts,\n\u2018Yee are a borne lord in Scottland free;\nYou may gett ladyes enowe att home;\nYou shall neuer take my loue from mee.\u2019\n109A.45 \u2018Away, away, thou Thomas a Potts!\nThou seruing-man, stand thou a-side!\nI wott there\u2019s not a serving-man this day,\nI know, can hinder mee of my bryde.\u2019\n109A.46 \u2018If I be but a seruing-man,\u2019 sayd Thomas,\n\u2018And you are a lord of honor free,\nA speare or two I\u2019le with you runn,\nBefore I\u2019le loose her thus cowardlye.\u2019\n109A.47 \u2018On Gilford Greene,\u2019 Lord Phenix saies, \u2018I\u2019le thee meete;\nNeither man nor boy shall come hither with mee;\u2019\n\u2018And as I am a man,\u2019 said Thomas a Pott,\n\u2018I\u2019le haue as few in my companye.\u2019\n109A.48 With that the wedding-day was stayd,\nThe bryde went vnmarryed home againe;\nThen to her maydens fast shee loughe,\nAnd in her hart shee was full faine.\n109A.49 \u2018But all my mayds,\u2019 they ladye sayd,\n\u2019That this day doe waite on mee,\nWee will fall downe againe vpon our knees,\nFor Thomas a Potts now pray will wee.\n109A.50 \u2018If his fortune be for to winn-+-\nWee\u2019le pray to Christ in Trynitye-+-\nI\u2019le make him the flower of all his kinn,\nFor the lord of Arrundale he shalbe.\u2019\n109A.51 Now let vs leaue talking of this lady fayre,\nIn her prayers good where shee can bee;\nI\u2019le tell you the troth how Thomas a Potts\nFor aide to his lord againe came hee.\n109A.52 And when he came to Strawberry Castle,\nTo try for his ladye he had but one weeke;\nAlacke, for sorrow hee cannott forbeare,\nFor four dayes then he fell sicke.\n109A.53 With that his lord and master to him came,\nSayes, I pray thee, Thomas, tell mee without all doubt,\nWhether hast thou gotten the bonny ladye,\nOr thou man gange the ladye withoute.\n109A.54 \u2018Marry, master, yett that matter is vntryde;\nWithin two dayes tryed itt must bee;\nHe is a lord, and I am but a seruing-man,\nI doubt I must loose her through pouertye.\u2019\n\u2018Why, Thomas a Pott, take thou no care;\nThou\u2019st neuer loose her through pouertye.\n109A.55 \u2018Thou shalt haue halfe my land a yeere,\nAnd that will raise thee many a pound;\nBefore thou shalt loose thy bonny ladye,\nThou shalt drop angells with him to the ground.\n109A.56 \u2018And thou shalt haue forty of thy fellowes faire,\nAnd forty horsses to goe with thee,\nAnd forty speres of the best I haue,\nAnd I my-selfe in thy companye.\u2019\n109A.57 \u2018I thanke you, master,\u2019 sayd Thomas a Potts,\n\u2018But of one thinge, sir, I wold be faine;\nIf I shold loose my bonny ladye,\nHow shall I increase your goods againe?\u2019\n109A.58 \u2018Why, if thou winn thy lady faire,\nThou maye well forth for to pay mee;\nIf thou loose thy lady, thou hast losse enoughe;\nNot one penny I will aske thee.\u2019\n109A.59 \u2018Master, you haue thirty horsses in one hold,\nYou keepe them ranke and royallye;\nThere\u2019s an old horsse, -+-for him you doe not care-+-\nThis day wold sett my lady free.\n109A.60 \u2019That is a white, with a cutt tayle,\nFfull sixteen yeeres of age is hee;\nGiffe you wold lend me that old horsse,\nThen I shold gett her easilye.\u2019\n109A.61 \u2018Thou takes a foolish part,\u2019 the Lord Iockye sayd,\n\u2018And a foolish part thou takes on thee;\nThou shalt haue a better then euer he was,\nThat forty pounds cost more nor hee.\u2019\n109A.62 \u2018O master, those horsses beene wild and wicked,\nAnd litle they can skill of the old traine;\nGiffe I be out of my saddle cast,\nThey beene soe wild they\u2019le neuer be tane againe.\n109A.63 \u2018Lett me haue age, sober and wise;\nItt is a part of wisdome, you know itt plaine;\nIf I be out of my sadle cast,\nHee\u2019le either stand still or turne againe.\u2019\n109A.64 \u2018Thou shalt haue that horsse with all my hart,\nAnd my cote-plate of siluer free,\nAnd a hundred men att thy backe,\nFor to fight if neede shalbee.\u2019\n109A.65 \u2018I thanke you, master,\u2019 said Thomas a Potts,\n\u2018Neither man nor boy shall goe with mee;\nAs you are a lord off honor borne,\nLet none of my fellowes know this of mee.\n109A.66 \u2018Ffor if they wott of my goinge,\nI wott behind me they will not bee;\nWithout you keepe them vnder a locke,\nVppon that greene I shall them see.\u2019\n109A.67 And when Thomas came to Gilford Greene,\nAnd walked there some houres three,\nThen was he ware of the Lord Phenix,\nAnd four men in his companye.\n109A.68 \u2018You haue broken your vow,\u2019 sayd Thomas a Pott,\n\u2018Your vowe that you made vnto mee;\nYou said you wold come your selfe alone,\nAnd you haue brought more then two or three.\u2019\n109A.69 \u2018These are my waiting-men,\u2019 Lord Phenix sayd,\n\u2019That euery day doe waite on mee;\nGiffe any of these shold att vs stirr,\nMy speare shold runn throwe his bodye.\u2019\n109A.70 \u2018I\u2019le runn noe race,\u2019 said Thomas Potts,\n\u2018Till that this othe heere made may bee:\nIf the one of vs be slaine,\nThe other forgiuen that hee may bee.\u2019\n109A.71 \u2018I\u2019le make a vow,\u2019 Lord Phenix sayes,\n\u2018My men shall beare wittnesse with thee,\nGiffe thou slay mee att this time,\nNeuer the worsse beloued in Scottland thou shalt bee.\u2019\n109A.72 Then they turned their horsses round about,\nTo run the race fore egarlye;\nLord Phenix he was stiffe and stout,\nHe has runn Thomas quite thorrow the thye.\n109A.73 And beere Thomas out of his saddle faire;\nVpon the ground there did hee lye;\nHe saies, For my liffe I doe not care,\nBut for the loue of my ladye.\n109A.74 But shall I lose my ladye faire?\nI thought shee shold haue beene my wiffe;\nI pray thee, Lord Phenix, ryde not away,\nFor with thee I will loose my liffe.\n109A.75 Tho Thomas a Potts was a seruing-man,\nHe was alsoe a phisityan good;\nHe clapt his hand vpon his wound,\nWith some kind of words he stauncht the blood.\n109A.76 Then into his sadle againe hee leepe;\nThe blood in his body began to warme;\nHe mist Lord Phenix bodye there,\nBut he run him quite throw the brawne of the arme.\n109A.77 And he bore him quite out of his saddle faire;\nVpon the ground there did he lye;\nHe said, I pray thee, Lord Phenix, rise and fight,\nOr else yeeld this ladye sweete to mee.\n109A.78 \u2018To fight with thee,\u2019 quoth Phenix, \u2018I cannott stand.\nNor for to fight, I cannott, sure;\nThou hast run me through the brawne of the arme;\nNoe longer of thy spere I cannott endure.\n109A.79 \u2018Thou\u2019st haue that ladye with all my hart,\nSith itt was like neuer better to proue,\nNor neuer a noble-man this day,\nThat will seeke to take a pore man\u2019s loue.\u2019\n109A.80 \u2018Why then, be of good cheere,\u2019 saies Thomas Pott,\n\u2018Indeed your bucher I\u2019le neuer bee,\nFor I\u2019le come and stanche your bloode,\nGiff any thankes you\u2019le giue to mee.\u2019\n109A.81 As he was stanching the Phenix blood,\nThese words Thomas a Pott cann to him proue:\n\u2018I\u2019le neuer take a ladye of you thus,\nBut here I\u2019le giue you another choice.\n109A.82 \u2018Heere is a lane of two miles longe;\nAtt either end sett wee will bee;\nThe ladye shall sitt vs betweene,\nAnd soe will wee sett this ladye free.\u2019\n109A.83 \u2018If thou\u2019le doe soe,\u2019 Lord Phenix sayes,\n\u2018Thomas a Pott, as thou dost tell mee,\nWhether I gett her or goe without her,\nHeere\u2019s forty pounds I\u2019le giue itt thee.\u2019\n109A.84 And when the ladye there can stand,\nA woman\u2019s mind that day to proue,\n\u2018Now, by my faith,\u2019 said this ladye faire,\n\u2018This day Thomas a Pott shall haue his owne loue.\u2019\n109A.85 Toward Thomas a Pott the lady shee went,\nTo leape behind him hastilye;\n\u2018Nay, abyde a while,\u2019 sayd Lord Phenix,\n\u2018Ffor better yett proued thou shalt bee.\n109A.86 \u2018Thou shalt stay heere with all thy maids-+-\nIn number with thee thou hast but three-+-\nThomas a Pott and I\u2019le goe beyond yonder wall,\nThere the one of vs shall dye.\u2019\n109A.87 And when they came beyond the wall,\nThe one wold not the other nye;\nLord Phenix he had giuen his word\nWith Thomas a Pott neuer to fight.\n109A.88 \u2018Giue me a choice,\u2019 Lord Phenix sayes,\n\u2018Thomas a Pott, I doe pray thee;\nLett mee goe to yonder ladye faire,\nTo see whether shee be true to thee.\u2019\n109A.89 And when hee came that ladye too,\nVnto that likesome dame sayd hee,\nNow God thee saue, thou ladye faire,\nThe heyre of all my land thou\u2019st bee.\n109A.90 Ffor this Thomas a Potts I haue slaine;\nHe hath more than deadlye wounds two or three;\n?? Ffor this Thomas a Potts I haue slaine;\nHe hath more than deadlye wounds two or three;\nThou art mine owne ladye, he sayd,\nAnd marryed together wee will bee.\n109A.91 The ladye said, If Thomas a Potts this day thou haue slaine,\nThou hast slaine a better man than euer was thee;\nAnd I\u2019le sell all the state of my lande\nBut thou\u2019st be hanged on a gallow-tree.\n109A.92 With that they lady shee fell in a soone;\nA greeued woman, I wott, was shee;\nLord Phenix hee was readye there,\nTooke her in his armes most hastilye.\n109A.93 \u2018O Lord, sweete, and stand on thy feete,\nThis day Thomas a Pott aliue can bee;\nI\u2019le send for thy father, the Lord of Arrundale,\nAnd marryed together I will you see:\nGiffe hee will not maintaine you well,\nBoth gold and land you shall haue from me.\u2019\n109A.94 \u2018I\u2019le see that wedding,\u2019 my Lord of Arrundale said,\n\u2018Of my daughter\u2019s loue that is soe faire;\nAnd sith itt will no better be,\nOf all my land Thomas a Pott shall be my heyre.\u2019\n109A.95 \u2018Now all my maids,\u2019 the ladye said,\n\u2018And ladyes of England, faire and free,\nLooke you neuer change your old loue for no new,\nNor neuer change for no pouertye.\n109A.96 \u2018Ffor I had a louer true of mine owne,\nA seruing-man of a small degree;\nFfrom Thomas a Pott I\u2019le turne his name,\nAnd the Lord of Arrundale hee shall bee.\u2019\n109B: Tom Potts\n109B.1 OF all the lords in Scotland fair,\nAnd ladies that been so bright of blee,\nThere is a noble lady among them all,\nAnd report of her you shall hear by me.\n109B.2 For of her beauty she is bright,\nAnd of her colour very fair;\nShe\u2019s daughter to Lord Arundel,\nAnd of her colour very fair;\nShe\u2019s daughter to Lord Arundel,\nApprovd his parand and his heir.\n109B.3 \u2018I\u2019le see this bride,\u2019 Lord Phenix said,\n\u2018That lady of so bright a blee,\nAnd if I like her countenance well,\nThe heir of all my lands she\u2019st be.\u2019\n109B.4 But when he came the lady before,\nBefore this comely maid came he,\n\u2018O God thee save, thou lady sweet,\nMy heir and parand thou shalt be.\u2019\n109B.5 \u2018Leave off your suit,\u2019 the lady said,\n\u2018As you are a lord of high degree;\nAnd I have a lord in mine own country.\n109B.6 \u2018For I have a lover true of mine own,\nA serving-man of low degree,\nOne Tommy Pots it is his name,\nMy first love and last that ever shall be.\u2019\n109B.7 \u2018If that Tom Pots is his name,\nI do ken him right verily;\nI am able to spend fourty pounds a week,\nWhere he is not able to spend pounds three.\u2019\n109B.8 \u2018God give you good of your gold,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018And ever God give you good of your fee;\nTom Pots was the first love that ever I had,\nAnd I do mean him the last to be.\u2019\n109B.9 With that Lord Phenix soon was movd;\nTowards the lady did he threat;\nHe told her father, and so it was provd,\nHow his daughter\u2019s mind was set.\n109B.10 \u2018O daughter dear, thou art my own,\nThe heir of all my lands to be;\nThou shalt be bride to the Lord Phenix,\nIf that thou mean to be heir to me.\u2019\n109B.11 \u2018O father dear, I am your own,\nAnd at your command I needs must be;\nBut bind my body to whom you please,\nMy heart, Tom Pots, shall go with thee.\u2019\n109B.12 Alas! the lady her fondness must leave,\nAnd all her foolish wooing lay aside;\nThe time is come, her friends have appointed,\nThat she must be Lord Phenix bride.\n109B.13 With that the lady began to weep;\nShe knew not well then what to say,\nHow she might Lord Phenix deny,\nAnd escape from marriage quite away.\n109B.14 See calld unto her little foot-page,\nSaying, I can trust none but thee;\nGo carry Tom Pots this letter fair,\nAnd bid him on Guilford Green meet me.\n109B.15 For I must marry against my mind,\nOr in faith well proved it shall be;\nAnd tell to him I am loving and kind,\nAnd wishes him this wedding to see.\n109B.16 But see that thou note his countenance well,\nAnd his colour, and shew it to me;\nAnd go thy way and hie thee again,\nAnd forty shillings I will give thee.\n109B.17 For if he smile now with his lips,\nHis stomach will give him to laugh at the heart;\nThen may I seek another true-love,\nFor of Tom Pots small is my part.\n109B.18 But if he blush now in his face,\nThen in his heart he will sorry be;\nThen to his vow he hath some grace,\nAnd false to him I will never be.\n109B.19 Away this lacky-boy he ran,\nAnd a full speed forsooth went he,\n?? Away this lacky-boy he ran,\nAnd a full speed forsooth went he,\nTill he came to Strawberry Castle,\nAnd there Tom Pots came he to see.\n109B.20 He gave him the letter in his hand;\nBefore that he began to read,\nHe told him plainly by word of mouth,\nHis love was forc\u2019d to be Lord Phenix bride.\n109B.21 When he lookd on the letter fair,\nThe salt tears blemished his eye;\nSays, I cannot read this letter fair,\nNor never a word to see or spy.\n109B.22 My little boy, be to me true,\nHere is five marks I will give thee;\nAnd all these words I must peruse,\nAnd tell my lady this from me.\n109B.23 By faith and troth she is my own,\nBy some part of promise, so it\u2019s to be found;\nLord Phenix shall not have her night nor day,\nExcept he can win her with his own hand.\n109B.24 On Guilford Green I will her meet;\nSay that I wish her for me to pray;\nFor there I\u2019le lose my life so sweet,\nOr else the wedding I mean to stay.\n109B.25 Away this lackey-boy he ran,\nEven as fast as he could hie;\nThe lady she met him two miles of the way;\nSays, Why hast thou staid so long, my boy?\n109B.26 My little boy, thou art but young,\nIt gives me at heart thou\u2019l mock and scorn;\nI\u2019le not believe thee by word of mouth,\nUnless on this book thou wilt be sworn.\n109B.27 \u2018Now by this book,\u2019 the boy did say,\n\u2018And Jesus Christ be as true to me,\nTom Pots could not read the letter fair,\nNor never a word to spy or see.\n109B.28 \u2018He says, by faith and troth you are his own,\nBy some part of promise, so it\u2019s to be found;\nLord Phenix shall not have you night nor day,\nExcept he win you with his own hand.\n109B.29 \u2018On Guilford Green he will you meet;\nHe wishes you for him to pray;\nFor there he\u2019l lose his life so sweet,\nOr else the wedding he means to stay.\u2019\n109B.30 \u2018If this be true, my little boy,\nThese tidings which thou tellest to me,\nForty shillings I did thee promise,\nHere is ten pounds I will give thee.\n109B.31 \u2018My maidens all,\u2019 the lady said,\n\u2018That ever wish me well to prove,\nNow let us all kneel down and pray\nThat Tommy Pots may win his love.\n109B.32 \u2018If it be his fortune the better to win,\nAs I pray to Christ in Trinity,\nI\u2019le make him the flower of all his kin,\nFor the young Lord Arundel he shall be.\u2019\n109B.33 Let\u2019s leave talking of this lady fair,\nIn prayers full good where she may be;\nNow let us talk of Tommy Pots;\nTo his lord and master for aid went he.\n109B.34 But when he came Lord Jockey before,\nHe kneeled lowly on his knee:\n\u2018What news, what news, thou Tommy Pots,\nThou art so full of courtesie?\n109B.35 \u2018What tydings, what tydings, thou Tommy Pots,\nThou art so full of courtesie?\nThou hast slain some of thy fellows fair,\nOr wrought to me some villany.\u2019\n109B.36 \u2018I have slain none of my fellows fair,\nNor wrought to you no villany,\nBut I have a love in Scotland fair,\nAnd I fear I shall lose her with poverty.\n109B.37 \u2018If you\u2019l not believe me by word of mouth,\nBut read this letter, and you shall see,\nHere by all these suspitious words\nThat she her own self hath sent to me.\u2019\n109B.38 But when he had read the letter fair,\nOf all the suspitious words in it might be,\n\u2018O Tommy Pots, take thou no care,\nThou\u2019st never lose her with poverty.\n109B.39 \u2018For thou\u2019st have forty pounds a week,\nIn gold and silver thou shalt row,\nAnd Harvy Town I will give thee\nAs long as thou intendst to wooe.\n109B.40 \u2018Thou\u2019st have forty of thy fellows fair,\nAnd forty horses to go with thee,\nForty of the best spears I have,\nAnd I my self in thy company.\u2019\n109B.41 \u2018I thank you, master,\u2019 said Tommy Pots,\n\u2018That proffer is too good for me;\nBut, if Jesus Christ stand on my side,\nMy own hands shall set her free.\n109B.42 \u2018God be with you, master,\u2019 said Tommy Pots,\n\u2018Now Jesus Christ you save and see;\nIf ever I come alive again,\nStaid the wedding it shall be.\u2019\n109B.43 \u2018O God be your speed, thou Tommy Pots,\nThou art well proved for a man;\nSee never a drop of blood thou spil,\nNor yonder gentleman confound.\n109B.44 \u2018See that some truce with him you take,\nAnd appoint a place of liberty;\nLet him provide him as well as he can,\nAs well provided thou shalt be.\u2019\n109B.45 But when he came to Guilford Green,\nAnd there had walkt a little aside,\nThere was he ware of Lord Phenix come,\nAnd Lady Rosamond his bride.\n109B.46 Away by the bride then Tommy Pots went,\nBut never a word to her did say,\nTill he the Lord Phenix came before;\nHe gave him the right time of the day.\n109B.47 \u2018O welcome, welcome, thou Tommy Pots,\nThou serving-man of low degree;\nHow doth thy lord and master at home,\nAnd all the ladies in that countrey?\u2019\n109B.48 \u2018My lord and master is in good health,\nI trust since that I did him see;\nWill you walk with me to an out-side,\nTwo or three words to talk with me?\n109B.49 \u2018You are a noble man,\u2019 said Tom,\n\u2018And born a lord in Scotland free;\nYou may have ladies enough at home,\nAnd never take my love from me.\u2019\n109B.50 \u2018Away, away, thou Tommy Pots;\nThou serving-man, stand thou aside;\nIt is not a serving-man this day\nThat can hinder me of my bride.\u2019\n109B.51 \u2018If I be a serving-man,\u2019 said Tom,\n\u2018And you a lord of high degree,\nA spear or two with you I\u2019le run,\nBefore I\u2019le lose her cowardly.\n109B.52 \u2018Appoint a place, I will thee meet,\nAppoint a place of liberty;\nFor there I\u2019le lose my life so sweet,\nOr else my lady I\u2019le set free.\u2019\n109B.53 \u2018On Guilford Green I will thee meet;\nNo man nor boy shall come with me:\u2019\n\u2018As I am a man,\u2019 said Tommy Pots,\n\u2018I\u2019le have as few in my company.\u2019\n109B.54 And thus staid the marriage was,\nThe bride unmarried went home again;\nThen to her maids fast did she laugh,\nAnd in her heart she was full fain.\n109B.55 \u2018My maidens all,\u2019 the lady said,\n\u2018That ever wait on me this day,\nNow let us all kneel down,\nAnd for Tommy Pots let us all pray.\n109B.56 \u2018If it be his fortune the better to win,\nAs I trust to God in Trinity,\nI\u2019le make him the flower of all his kin,\nFor the young Lord Arundel he shall be.\u2019\n109B.57 When Tom Pots came home again,\nTo try for his love he had but a week;\nFor sorrow, God wot, he need not care,\nFor four days that he fel sick.\n109B.58 With that his master to him came,\nSays, Pray thee, Tom Pots, tell me if tho doubt\nWhether thou hast gotten thy gay lady,\nOr thou must go thy love without.\n109B.59 \u2018O master, yet it is unknown;\nWithin these two days well try\u2019d it must be;\nHe is a lord, I am but a serving-man,\nI fear I shall lose her with poverty.\u2019\n109B.60 \u2018I prethee, Tom Pots, get thee on thy feet;\nMy former promises kept shall be;\nAs I am a lord in Scotland fair,\nThou\u2019st never lose her with poverty.\n109B.61 \u2018For thou\u2019st have the half of my lands a year,\nAnd that will raise thee many a pound;\nBefore thou shalt out-braved be,\nThou shalt drop angels with him on the ground.\u2019\n109B.62 \u2018I thank you, master,\u2019 said Tommy Pots,\n\u2018Yet there is one thing of you I would fain;\nIf that I lose my lady sweet,\nHow I\u2019st restore your goods again?\u2019\n109B.63 \u2018If that thou win the lady sweet,\nThou mayst well forth, thou shalt pay me;\nIf thou loosest thy lady, thou losest enough;\nThou shalt not pay me one penny.\u2019\n109B.64 \u2018You have thirty horses in one close,\nYou keep them all both frank and free;\nAmongst them all there\u2019s an old white horse\nThis day would set my lady free.\n109B.65 \u2018That is an old horse with a cut tail,\nFull sixteen years of age is he;\nIf thou wilt lend me that old horse,\nThen could I win her easily.\u2019\n109B.66 \u2018That\u2019s a foolish opinion,\u2019 his master said,\n\u2018And a foolish opinion thou tak\u2019st to thee;\nThou\u2019st have a better then ever he was,\nThough forty pounds more it cost me.\u2019\n109B.67 \u2018O your choice horses are wild and tough,\nAnd little they can skill of their train;\nIf I be out of my saddle cast,\nThey are so wild they\u2019l ner be tain.\u2019\n109B.68 \u2018Thou\u2019st have that horse,\u2019 his master said,\n\u2018If that one thing thou wilt tell me;\nWhy that horse is better than any other,\nI pray thee, Tom Pots, shew thou to me.\u2019\n109B.69 \u2018That horse is old, of stomach bold,\nAnd well can he skill of his train;\nIf I be out of my saddle cast,\nHe\u2019l either stand still or turn again.\u2019\n109B.70 \u2018Thou\u2019st have the horse with all my heart,\nAnd my plate-coat of silver free;\nAn hundred men to stand at thy back,\nTo fight if he thy master be.\u2019\n109B.71 \u2018I thank you master,\u2019 said Tommy Pots;\n\u2018That proffer is too good for me;\nI would not, for ten thousand pounds,\nHave man or boy in my company.\n109B.72 \u2018God be with you master,\u2019 said Tommy Pots;\n\u2018Now, as you are a man of law,\nOne thing let me crave at your hand;\nLet never a one of my fellows know.\n109B.73 \u2018For if that my fellows they did wot,\nOr ken of my extremity,\nExcept you keep them under a lock,\nBehind me I am sure they would not be.\u2019\n109B.74 But when he came to Guilford Green,\nHe waited hours two or three;\nThere he was ware of Lord Phenix come,\nAnd four men in his company.\n109B.75 \u2018You have broken your vow,\u2019 said Tommy Pots,\n\u2018The vow which you did make to me;\nYou said you would bring neither man nor boy,\nAnd now has brought more than two or three.\u2019\n109B.76 \u2018These are my men,\u2019 Lord Phenix said,\n\u2018Which every day do wait on me;\n[If] any of these dare proffer to strike,\nI\u2019le run my spear through his body.\u2019\n109B.77 \u2018I\u2019le run no race now,\u2019 said Tommy Pots,\n\u2018Except now this may be;\nIf either of us be slain this day,\nThe other shall forgiven be.\u2019\n109B.78 \u2018I\u2019le make that vow with all my heart,\nMy men shall bear witness with me;\nAnd if thou slay me here this day,\nIn Scotland worse belovd thou never shalt be.\u2019\n109B.79 They turnd their horses thrice about,\nTo run the race so eagerly;\nLord Phenix he was fierce and stout,\nAnd ran Tom Pots through the thick o th\u2019 thigh.\n109B.80 He bord him out of the saddle fair,\nDown to the ground so sorrowfully:\n\u2018For the loss of my life I do not care,\nBut for the loss of my fair lady.\n109B.81 \u2018Now for the loss of my lady sweet,\nWhich once I thought to have been my wife,\nI pray thee, Lord Phenix, ride not away,\nFor with thee I would end my life.\u2019\n109B.82 Tom Pots was but a serving-man,\nBut yet he was a doctor good;\nHe bound his handkerchief on his wound,\nAnd with some kind of words he stancht his blood.\n109B.83 He leapt into his saddle again,\nThe blood in his body began to warm;\nHe mist Lord Phenix body fair,\nAnd ran him through the brawn of the arm.\n109B.84 He bord him out of his saddle fair,\nDown to the ground most sorrowfully;\nSays, Prethee, Lord Phenix, rise up and fight,\nOr yield my lady unto me.\n109B.85 \u2018Now for to fight I cannot tell,\nAnd for to fight I am not sure;\nThou hast run me throw the brawn o th\u2019 arm,\nThat with a spear I may not endure.\n109B.86 \u2018Thou\u2019st have the lady with all my heart;\nIt was never likely better to prove\nWith me, or any nobleman else,\nThat would hinder a poor man of his love.\u2019\n109B.87 \u2018Seeing you say so much,\u2019 said Tommy Pots,\n\u2018I will not seem your butcher to be;\nBut I will come and stanch your blood,\nIf any thing you will give me.\u2019\n109B.88 As he did stanch Lord Phenix blood,\nLord, in his heart he did rejoyce!\n\u2018I\u2019le not take the lady from you thus,\nBut of her you\u2019st have another choice.\n109B.89 \u2018Here is a lane of two miles long;\nAt either end we set will be;\nThe lady shall stand us among,\nHer own choice shall set her free.\u2019\n109B.90 \u2018If thou\u2019l do so,\u2019 Lord Phenix said,\n\u2018To lose her by her own choice it\u2019s honesty;\nChuse whether I get her or go her without,\nForty pounds I will give thee.\u2019\n109B.91 But when they in that lane was set,\nThe wit of a woman for to prove,\n\u2018By the faith of my body,\u2019 the lady said,\n\u2018Then Tom Pots must needs have his love.\u2019\n109B.92 Towards Tom Pots the lady did hie,\nTo get on behind him hastily;\n\u2018Nay stay, nay stay,\u2019 Lord Phenix said,\n\u2018Better proved it shall be.\n109B.93 \u2018Stay you with your maidens here-+-\nIn number fair they are but three-+-\nTom Pots and I will go behind yonder wall,\nThat one of us two be proved to dye.\u2019\n109B.94 But when they came behind the wall,\nThe one came not the other nigh;\nFor the Lord Phenix had made a vow,\nThat with Tom Pots he would never fight.\n109B.95 \u2018O give me this choice,\u2019 Lord Phenix said,\n\u2018To prove whether true or false she be,\nAnd I will go to the lady fair,\nAnd tell her Tom Pots slain is he.\u2019\n109B.96 When he came from behind the wall,\nWith his face all bloody as it might be,\n\u2018O lady sweet, thou art my own,\nFor Tom Pots slain have I.\n109B.97 \u2018Now have I slain him, Tommy Pots,\nAnd given him death\u2019s wounds two or three;\nO lady sweet, thou art my own;\nOf all loves, wilt thou live with me?\u2019\n109B.98 \u2018If thou hast slain him, Tommy Pots,\nAnd given him death\u2019s wounds two or three,\nI\u2019le sell the state of my father\u2019s lands\nBut hanged shall Lord Phenix be.\u2019\n109B.99 With that the lady fell in a swound,\nFor a grieved woman, God wot, was she;\nLord Phenix he was ready then\nTo take her up so hastily.\n109B.100 \u2018O lady sweet, stand thou on thy feet,\nTom Pots alive this day may be;\nI\u2019le send for thy father, Lord Arundel,\nAnd he and I the wedding will see.\n109B.101 \u2018I\u2019le send for thy father, Lord Arundel,\nAnd he and I the wedding will see;\nIf he will not maintain you well,\nBoth lands and livings you\u2019st have of me.\u2019\n109B.102 \u2018I\u2019le see this wedding,\u2019 Lord Arundel said,\n\u2018Of my daughter\u2019s luck that is so fair;\nSeeing the matter will be no better,\nOf all my lands Tom Pots shall be the heir.\u2019\n109B.103 With that the lady began for to smile,\nFor a glad woman, God wot, was she;\n\u2018Now all my maids,\u2019 the lady said,\n\u2018Example you may take by me.\n109B.104 \u2018But all the ladies of Scotland fair,\nAnd lasses of England that well would prove,\nNeither marry for gold nor goods,\nNor marry for nothing but only love.\n109B.105 \u2018For I had a lover true of my own,\nA serving-man of low degree;\nNow from Tom Pots I\u2019le change his name,\nFor the young Lord Arundel he shall be.\u2019\n109C: Tom Potts\n109C.1 IN Scotland there are ladies fair,\nThere\u2019s ladies of honor and high degree,\nRefrain: Hey down, down a down derry\nBut one excels above all the rest,\nAnd the Earl of Arundel\u2019s daughter is she.\nRefrain: With hey down, derry down,\nLang derry down derry\n109C.2 Both knights and lords of great account\nComes thither a wooing for this ladie\u2019s sake:\nIt fell on a day that Earl Arundell said,\nDaughter, which of these lords will you take?\n109C.3 Or which of them now likes thee best?\nSpeak truth to me, but do not lie;\nSpeak truth to me, and do not jest,\nWho must heir my livings when as I die?\n109C.4 Lord Fenix is a lord of high degree,\nAnd hath both lands and livings free;\nI tell thee, daughter, thou shalt him have,\nIf thou wilt take any counsell at me.\n109C.5 With that the young lady fell down of her knee,\nAnd trickling tears ran down her eye:\n\u2018As you are my father, and loves me dear,\nMy heart is set where it must be.\n109C.6 \u2018On a serving-man which is so poor,\nFor all he hath is but pounds three;\nHe was the first lover that ere I had,\nAnd the last I mean him for to be.\u2019\n109C.7 With that her father was sore offended,\nAnd fast he rode at that same tide,\nUntill he to the Lord Fenix came,\nAnd fast he rode at that same tide,\n109C.8 The yong ladie cald up Jack, her foot-boy:\n\u2018I dare trust no man alive but thee;\nThou must go my errand to Strawberry Castle,\nTo the place where Tomy o\u2019th Potts doth lye.\n109C.9 \u2018And carry this letter, in parchment fair,\nThat I have sealed with mine own hand;\nAnd when Tomey looks this letter upon,\nBe sure his countenance thou understand.\n109C.10 \u2018And if he either laugh or smile,\nHe is not sorry at his heart;\nI must seek a new love where I will,\nFor small of Tomey must be my part.\n109C.11 \u2018But if he wax red in the face,\nAnd tricling tears fall from his eyes,\nThen let my father say what he will,\nFor true to Tomey I\u2019le be always.\n109C.12 \u2018And thou must tell him by word of mouth,\nIf this letter cannot be read at that tyde,\nThat this day sennight, and no longer hence,\nI must be Lord William Fenix bride.\u2019\n109C.13 The boy took leave of his lady gay,\nAnd to Strawberry Castle he did him fast hie;\nA serving-man did guide him the way\nTo the place where Tomey o\u2019th Pots did lie.\n109C.14 \u2018O Christ thee save, good Tomey o\u2019th Pots,\nAnd Christ thee save as I thee see;\nCome read this letter, Tomey o\u2019th Potts,\nAs thy true-love hath sent to thee.\u2019\n109C.15 Then Tomey he waxed red in the face,\nAnd trickling tears ran down his eyes;\nBut never a letter could he read,\nIf he should be hanged on th\u2019gallow-tree.\n109C.16 \u2018Shee bid me tell you by word of mouth,\nIf this letter could not be read at this tide,\nThat this day sennight, and no longer hence,\nShe must be Lord William Fenix bride.\u2019\n109C.17 \u2018Now in faith,\u2019 said Tomey, \u2019She is mine own,\nAs all hereafter shall understand;\nLord Fenix shall not marry her, by night or day,\nUnless he win her by his own hand.\n109C.18 \u2018For on Gilforth Green I will her meet,\nAnd if she love me, bid her for me pray;\nAnd there I will lose my life so sweet,\nOr else her wedding I will stay.\u2019\n109C.19 He cald this boy unto accounts;\nThink whether he loved this lady gay!\nHe gave him forty shilling for his message,\nAnd all he had was but pounds three.\n109C.20 The boy took his leave of Tomey o\u2019th Potts,\nFearing that he had staid too late;\nThe young lady did wait of his comming,\nAnd met him five miles out of the gate.\n109C.21 \u2018O boney boy, thou art not of age,\nTherefore thou canst both mock and scorn;\nI will not beleeve what my love hath said,\nUnlesse thou on this book be sworn.\u2019\n109C.22 \u2018Now, in faith, gay lady, I will not lye,\u2019\nAnd kist the book full soon did he:\n\u2018One letter he could not read at that time,\nIf he should have been hangd at gallo-tree.\n109C.23 \u2018He said in faith you are his own,\nAs all hereafter shall understand;\nLord Fenix shall not marry you by night or day,\nUnlesse he winn you with his own hand.\n109C.24 \u2018For on Gilforth Green he will you meet,\nAnd if you love him, you must for him pray;\nAnd there he will lose his life so sweet,\nOr else your wedding he will stay.\u2019\n109C.25 Let us leave talking of the boy,\nThat with his gay lady is turned home;\nNow let us go talk of Tomey o\u2019th Potts,\nAnd how to his master he is gone.\n109C.26 When Tomey came his master before,\nHe kneeled down upon his knee:\n\u2018What tidings hast thou brought, my man,\nAs that thou makes such courtesie?\u2019\n109C.27 \u2018O Christ you save, dear master,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018And Christ you save as I you see;\nFor God\u2019s love, master, come read me this letter,\nWhich my true love hath sent to me.\u2019\n109C.28 His master took this letter in hand,\nAnd looked ore it with his eye;\n\u2018In faith, I am fain, my man,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018As thou hast a lady so true to thee.\u2019\n109C.29 \u2018I have a lady true to me,\nAnd false to her I\u2019le never be;\nBut ere this day sennight, and no longer hence,\nI must lose my love through povertie.\n109C.30 \u2018Lord Fenix he will her have,\nBecause he hath more wealth then I:\u2019\n\u2018Now hold thy tongue, my man,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018For before that day many a one shall die.\n109C.31 \u2018O Tomey,\u2019 said he, \u2018I love thee well,\nAnd something for thee I will doo;\nFor Strawberry Castle shall be thine own\nSo long as thou dost mean to woo.\n109C.32 \u2018One half of my lands I\u2019le give thee a year,\nThe which will raise thee many a pound;\nBefore that thou lose thy bonny sweet-hart,\nThou shalt drop angels with him to the ground.\n109C.33 \u2018I have thirty steeds in my stable strong,\nWhich any of them is good indeed,\nAnd a bunch of spears hangs them among,\nAnd a nag to carry thee swift with speed.\n109C.34 \u2018My sute of armour thou shalt put on-+-\nSo well it becomes thy fair body-+-\nAnd when thou comst on Gilford Green\nThou\u2019ll look more like a lord then he.\n109C.35 \u2018My men shall all rise and with thee go,\nAnd I my self with thee will ride;\nAnd many a bloody wound will we make\nBefore that thou shalt lose thy bride.\u2019\n109C.36 \u2018Now Christ reward you, dear master,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018For the good will you bear to me;\nBut I trust to God, in a little space,\nWith my own hands to set her free.\n109C.37 \u2018I\u2019le none of your horses, master,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018For they cannot well skill of their trade;\nNone but your gray nag that hath a cut tail,\nFor hee\u2019ll either stand or turn again.\n109C.38 \u2018One spear, master, and no more,\nNo more with me that I will take,\nAnd if that spear it will not serve my turn,\nI\u2019le suffer death for my true-love\u2019s sake.\u2019\n109C.39 Early in the morning, when day did spring,\nOn Gilforth Green betime was he;\nThere did he espie Lord Fenix comming,\nAnd with him a royall company.\n109C.40 Gold chains about their necks threescore,\nFull well might seem fine lords to ride;\nThe young lady followed far behind,\nSore against her will that she was a bride.\n109C.41 There Tomey passed this lady by,\nBut never a word to her did say;\nThen straight to Lord Fenix he is gone,\nAnd gives him the right time of the day.\n109C.42 \u2018O Christ you save, Lord Fenix,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018And Christ you save as I you see;\u2019\n\u2018Thou art welcome, Tomey o\u2019th Potts,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018A serving-man into our company.\n109C.43 \u2018O how doth thy master, Tomy o\u2019th Potts?\nTell me the truth and do not lye;\u2019\n\u2018My master is well,\u2019 then Tomey replide,\n\u2018I thank my lord, and I thank not thee.\n109C.44 \u2018O Christ you save Lord Fenix,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018And Christ you save as I you see;\nYou may have choyce of ladies enough,\nAnd not take my true-love from me.\u2019\n109C.45 With that Lord Fenix was sore offended,\nAnd fast away he rode at that tide;\n\u2018God forbid,\u2019 Lord Fenix he said,\n\u2018A serving-man should hold me from my bride!\u2019\n109C.46 But afterward Tomey did him meet,\nAs one that came not thither to flye,\nAnd said, Lord Fenix, take thou my love,\nFor I will not lose her cowardly.\n109C.47 \u2018O meet me here tomorrow,\u2019 he said;\n\u2018As thou art a man, come but thy sell;\nAnd if that I come [with] any more,\nThe divell fetch my soul to hell.\u2019\n109C.48 And so this wedding-day was staid,\nThe lady and lords they turned home;\nThe lady made merry her maidens among,\nAnd said, Tomey I wish thou may win thy own.\n109C.49 Early in the morning, when day did spring,\nOn Gilforth Green betime was he;\nHe waited long for Lord Fenix comming,\nBut Lord William Fenix he could not see.\n109C.50 He waited long and very long,\nUntill the sun waxed very high;\nThere was he ware of Lord Fenix coming,\nAnd with him other men three.\n109C.51 \u2018Thou art a false thief, Lord Fenix,\u2019 he said,\nThou promisedst me to come by thy self,\nAnd thou hast brought other men three.\n109C.52 \u2018But in regard I call thee thief,\nBecause thou hast broken promise with me,\nI vow, and you were as many more,\nForsaken sure you should not be.\u2019\n109C.53 \u2018These are my men,\u2019 Lord Fenix said,\n\u2018That every day do wait on me;\nIf any of them do strike a stroke,\nIn faith then hanged he shall be.\u2019\n109C.54 They fetcht a race and rode about,\nAnd then they met full eagerly;\nLord Fenix away by Tomey\u2019s body glowd,\nAnd he ran him quite thorow the thigh.\n109C.55 Out of his saddle bore him he did,\nAnd laid his body on the ground;\nHis spear he ran thorow Tomey\u2019s thigh,\nIn which he made a grievous wound.\n109C.56 But Tomey quickly start up again;\nFor as he was a physitian good,\nHe laid his hand upon the wound,\nAnd quickly he did stanch the blood.\n109C.57 Full lightly he leaped to his saddle again,\nForth of it long he did not stay;\nFor he weighed more of the ladie\u2019s love\nThen of any life he had that day.\n109C.58 They fetched a race and rode about,\nThe blood in Tomey\u2019s body began to warm;\nHe away by Lord Fenix body glowde,\nAnd he ran him quite through the arm.\n109C.59 Out of his saddle bore him he hath,\nOf from his steed that mounted so high;\n\u2018Now rise and fight, Lord Fenix,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018Or else yeeld the lady unto me.\u2019\n109C.60 \u2018I\u2019ll yeeld the lady unto thee;\nMy arm no more my spear will guide;\nIt was never better likely to prove,\nTo hold a poor seving-man from his bride.\u2019\n109C.61 \u2018But if thou wilt thus deal then with me,\nLest of this matter should rise any voice,\nThat I have gotten the victory,\nThen thou shalt have another choice.\n109C.62 \u2018Yonder is a lane of two miles long;\nAt either end then stand will we;\nWee\u2019l set the lady in the midst,\nAnd whether she come to, take her, for me.\u2019\n109C.63 \u2018If thou wilt thus deal,\u2019 said Fenix then,\n\u2018Thou\u2019ll save my credit and honor high;\nAnd whether I win her, or go without her,\nI\u2019le be willing to give ten pounds to thee.\u2019\n109C.64 There was a lane of two miles long;\nThe lady was set in the middle that tide;\nShe laught and made merry her maids among,\nAnd said, Tomey o\u2019th Pots, now I\u2019le be thy bride.\n109C.65 Now all you ladies of high degree,\nAnd maides that married yet would be,\nMarry no man for goods or lands,\nUnlesse you love him faithfully.\n109C.66 For I had a love of my own, she said,\nAt Strawberrie Castle there lived he;\nI\u2019le change his name from Tomey o\u2019th Pots,\nAnd the yong Earl of Arundell now he shall be.","title":"The Child Ballads: 109. Tom Potts","type":"page"}