"How brent's your brow, my Lady Elspat?How gouden yellow is your hair?O' a' the maids o' fair Scotland,There's nane like Lady Elspat fair.""Perform your vows, sweet William," she says,5"The vows which ye ha' made to me;And at the back o' my mither's castell,This night I'll surely meet wi' thee."But wae be to her brother's page,That heard the words thir twa did say;10He's tald them to her lady mither,Wha wrought sweet William mickle wae.For she has ta'en him, sweet William,And she's gar'd bind him wi' his bow string,Till the red bluid o' his fair body15Frae ilka nail o' his hand did spring.O it fell ance upon a timeThat the Lord-justice came to town;Out has she ta'en him, sweet William,Brought him before the Lord-justice boun'.20"And what is the crime, now, lady," he says,"That has by this young man been dane?""O he has broken my bonny castell,That was weel biggit wi' lime and stane."And he has broken my bonny coffers,25That was weel bandit wi' aiken ban;And he has stown my rich jewels;I wot he has stown them every ane."Then out it spak her Lady Elspat,As she sat by Lord-justice' knee;30"Now ye hae told your tale, mither,I pray, Lord-justice, ye'll now hear me."He hasna broken her bonny castell,That was weel biggit wi' lime and stane;Nor has he stown her rich jewels,35For I wat she has them every ane."But though he was my first true love,And though I had sworn to be his bride,'Cause he hadna a great estate,She would this way our loves divide."40Syne out and spak the Lord-justice,I wat the tear was in his e'e;"I see nae faut in this young man;Sae loose his bands, and set him free."And tak your love, now, Lady Elspat,45And my best blessin' you baith upon;For gin he be your first true love,He is my eldest sister's son."There stands a steed in my stable,Cost me baith gold and white mony;50Ye's get as mickle o' my free landAs he'll ride about in a summer's day."
"How brent's your brow, my Lady Elspat?How gouden yellow is your hair?O' a' the maids o' fair Scotland,There's nane like Lady Elspat fair."
"Perform your vows, sweet William," she says,5"The vows which ye ha' made to me;And at the back o' my mither's castell,This night I'll surely meet wi' thee."
But wae be to her brother's page,That heard the words thir twa did say;10He's tald them to her lady mither,Wha wrought sweet William mickle wae.
For she has ta'en him, sweet William,And she's gar'd bind him wi' his bow string,Till the red bluid o' his fair body15Frae ilka nail o' his hand did spring.
O it fell ance upon a timeThat the Lord-justice came to town;Out has she ta'en him, sweet William,Brought him before the Lord-justice boun'.20
"And what is the crime, now, lady," he says,"That has by this young man been dane?""O he has broken my bonny castell,That was weel biggit wi' lime and stane.
"And he has broken my bonny coffers,25That was weel bandit wi' aiken ban;And he has stown my rich jewels;I wot he has stown them every ane."
Then out it spak her Lady Elspat,As she sat by Lord-justice' knee;30"Now ye hae told your tale, mither,I pray, Lord-justice, ye'll now hear me.
"He hasna broken her bonny castell,That was weel biggit wi' lime and stane;Nor has he stown her rich jewels,35For I wat she has them every ane.
"But though he was my first true love,And though I had sworn to be his bride,'Cause he hadna a great estate,She would this way our loves divide."40
Syne out and spak the Lord-justice,I wat the tear was in his e'e;"I see nae faut in this young man;Sae loose his bands, and set him free.
"And tak your love, now, Lady Elspat,45And my best blessin' you baith upon;For gin he be your first true love,He is my eldest sister's son.
"There stands a steed in my stable,Cost me baith gold and white mony;50Ye's get as mickle o' my free landAs he'll ride about in a summer's day."
"This 'pleasant History,' which 'may be sung to the tune of Floras Farewell,' is here republished from a copy printed at London for F. Cotes and others, 1677, 12mo. bl. 1., preserved in the curious and valuable collection of that excellent and most respected antiquary Antony à Wood, in the Ashmolean Museum; compared with another impression, for the same partners, without date, in the editor's possession. A different copy of the poem, more in the ballad form, was published, and may be found among the king's pamphlets in the British Museum. Both copies are conjectured to have been modernized, by different persons, from some common original, which has hitherto eluded the vigilance of collectors, but is strongly suspected to have been the composition of an old North country minstrel.
"The full title is,The Lovers Quarrel: or Cupids Triumph: being the pleasant history of Fair Rosamond of Scotland. Being daughter to the Lord Arundel, whose love was obtained by the valour of Tommy Pots: who conquered the Lord Phenix, and wounded him, and after obtained her to be his wife. Being very delightful to read."Ritson,Pieces of Ancient Popular Poetry, p. 135.
Of all the lords in Scotland fair,And ladies that been so bright of blee,There is a noble lady among them all,And report of her you shall hear by me.For of her beauty she is bright,5And of her colour very fair,She's daughter to Lord Arundel,Approv'd his parand and his heir."Ile see this bride," Lord Phenix said,"That lady of so bright a blee,10And if I like her countenance well,The heir of all my lands she'st be."But when he came the lady before,Before this comely maid came he,"O God thee save, thou lady sweet,15My heir and parand thou shalt be.""Leave off your suit," the lady said,"As you are a lord of high degree;You may have ladies enough at home,And I have a lord in mine own country:20"For I have a lover true of mine own,A serving-man of low degree,One Tommy Pots it is his name,My first love, and last that ever shall be.""If that Tom Pots [it] is his name,25I do ken him right verily;I am able to spend fourty pounds a week,Where he is not able to spend pounds three.""God give you good of your gold," she said,"And ever God give you good of your fee,30Tom Pots was the first love that ever I had,And I do mean him the last to be."With that Lord Phenix soon was mov'd;Towards the lady did he threat;He told her father, and so it was prov'd,35How his [fair] daughters mind was set."O daughter dear, thou art my own,The heir of all my lands to be;Thou shalt be bride to the Lord Phenix,If that thou mean to be heir to me."40"O father dear, I am your own,And at your command I needs must be,But bind my body to whom you please,My heart, Tom Pots, shall go with thee."Alas! the lady her fondness must leave,45And all her foolish wooing lay aside;The time is come her friends have appointed,That she must be Lord Phenix bride.With that the lady began to weep;She knew not well then what to say,50How she might Lord Phenix deny,And escape from marriage quite away.She call'd unto her little foot-page,Saying, "I can trust none but thee;Go carry Tom Pots this letter fair,55And bid him on Guildford-green meet me:"For I must marry against my mind,Or in faith well proved it shall be;And tell to him I am loving and kind,And wishes him this wedding to see.60"But see that thou note his countenance well,And his colour, and shew it to me;And go thy way andhiethee again,And forty shillings I will give thee."For if he smile now with his lips,65His stomach will give him to laugh at the heart;Then may I seek another true love,For of Tom Pots small is my part."But if he blush now in his face,Then in his heart he will sorry be;70Then to his vow he hath some grace,And false to him I'le never be."Away this lacky-boy he ran,And a full speed forsooth went he,Till he came to Strawberry-castle,75And there Tom Pots came he to see.He gave him the letter in his hand;Before that he began to read,He told him plainly by word of mouth,His love was forc'd to be Lord Phenix bride.80When he look'd on the letter fair,The salt tears blemished his eye;Says, "I cannot read this letter fair,Nor never a word to see or spy."My little boy, be to me true,85Here is five marks I will give thee;And all these words I must peruse;And tell my lady this from me:"By faith and troth she is my own,By some part of promise, so it's to be found;90Lord Phenix shall not have her night nor day,Except he can win her with his own hand."On Guildford-green I will her meet;Say that I wish her for me to pray,For there I'le lose my life so sweet,95Or else the wedding I mean to stay."Away this lackey-boy he ran,Then as fast as he could hie;The lady she met him two miles of the way;Says, "Why hast thou staid so long, my boy?100"My little boy, thou art but young,It gives me at heart thou'l mock and scorn;Ile not believe thee by word of mouth,Unless on this book thou wilt be sworn.""Now by this book," the boy did say,105"And Jesus Christ be as true to me,Tom Pots could not read the letter fair,Nor never a word to spy or see."He says, by faith and troth you are his own,By some part of promise, so it's to be found;110Lord Phenix shall not have you night nor day,Except he win you with his own hand."On Guildford-green he will you meet;He wishes you for him to pray,For there he'l lose his life so sweet,115Or else the wedding he means to stay.""If this be true, my little boy,These tidings which thou tellest to me,Forty shillings I did thee promise,Here is ten pounds I will give thee.120"My maidens all," the lady said,"That ever wish me well to prove,Now let us all kneel down and pray,That Tommy Pots may win his love."If it be his fortune the better to win,125As I pray to Christ in trinity,Ile make him the flower of all his kin,For the young Lord Arundel he shall be."
Of all the lords in Scotland fair,And ladies that been so bright of blee,There is a noble lady among them all,And report of her you shall hear by me.
For of her beauty she is bright,5And of her colour very fair,She's daughter to Lord Arundel,Approv'd his parand and his heir.
"Ile see this bride," Lord Phenix said,"That lady of so bright a blee,10And if I like her countenance well,The heir of all my lands she'st be."
But when he came the lady before,Before this comely maid came he,"O God thee save, thou lady sweet,15My heir and parand thou shalt be."
"Leave off your suit," the lady said,"As you are a lord of high degree;You may have ladies enough at home,And I have a lord in mine own country:20
"For I have a lover true of mine own,A serving-man of low degree,One Tommy Pots it is his name,My first love, and last that ever shall be."
"If that Tom Pots [it] is his name,25I do ken him right verily;I am able to spend fourty pounds a week,Where he is not able to spend pounds three."
"God give you good of your gold," she said,"And ever God give you good of your fee,30Tom Pots was the first love that ever I had,And I do mean him the last to be."
With that Lord Phenix soon was mov'd;Towards the lady did he threat;He told her father, and so it was prov'd,35How his [fair] daughters mind was set.
"O daughter dear, thou art my own,The heir of all my lands to be;Thou shalt be bride to the Lord Phenix,If that thou mean to be heir to me."40
"O father dear, I am your own,And at your command I needs must be,But bind my body to whom you please,My heart, Tom Pots, shall go with thee."
Alas! the lady her fondness must leave,45And all her foolish wooing lay aside;The time is come her friends have appointed,That she must be Lord Phenix bride.
With that the lady began to weep;She knew not well then what to say,50How she might Lord Phenix deny,And escape from marriage quite away.
She call'd unto her little foot-page,Saying, "I can trust none but thee;Go carry Tom Pots this letter fair,55And bid him on Guildford-green meet me:
"For I must marry against my mind,Or in faith well proved it shall be;And tell to him I am loving and kind,And wishes him this wedding to see.60
"But see that thou note his countenance well,And his colour, and shew it to me;And go thy way andhiethee again,And forty shillings I will give thee.
"For if he smile now with his lips,65His stomach will give him to laugh at the heart;Then may I seek another true love,For of Tom Pots small is my part.
"But if he blush now in his face,Then in his heart he will sorry be;70Then to his vow he hath some grace,And false to him I'le never be."
Away this lacky-boy he ran,And a full speed forsooth went he,Till he came to Strawberry-castle,75And there Tom Pots came he to see.
He gave him the letter in his hand;Before that he began to read,He told him plainly by word of mouth,His love was forc'd to be Lord Phenix bride.80
When he look'd on the letter fair,The salt tears blemished his eye;Says, "I cannot read this letter fair,Nor never a word to see or spy.
"My little boy, be to me true,85Here is five marks I will give thee;And all these words I must peruse;And tell my lady this from me:
"By faith and troth she is my own,By some part of promise, so it's to be found;90Lord Phenix shall not have her night nor day,Except he can win her with his own hand.
"On Guildford-green I will her meet;Say that I wish her for me to pray,For there I'le lose my life so sweet,95Or else the wedding I mean to stay."
Away this lackey-boy he ran,Then as fast as he could hie;The lady she met him two miles of the way;Says, "Why hast thou staid so long, my boy?100
"My little boy, thou art but young,It gives me at heart thou'l mock and scorn;Ile not believe thee by word of mouth,Unless on this book thou wilt be sworn."
"Now by this book," the boy did say,105"And Jesus Christ be as true to me,Tom Pots could not read the letter fair,Nor never a word to spy or see.
"He says, by faith and troth you are his own,By some part of promise, so it's to be found;110Lord Phenix shall not have you night nor day,Except he win you with his own hand.
"On Guildford-green he will you meet;He wishes you for him to pray,For there he'l lose his life so sweet,115Or else the wedding he means to stay."
"If this be true, my little boy,These tidings which thou tellest to me,Forty shillings I did thee promise,Here is ten pounds I will give thee.120
"My maidens all," the lady said,"That ever wish me well to prove,Now let us all kneel down and pray,That Tommy Pots may win his love.
"If it be his fortune the better to win,125As I pray to Christ in trinity,Ile make him the flower of all his kin,For the young Lord Arundel he shall be."
63, high.
63, high.
Let's leave talking of this lady fair,In prayers full good where she may be;130Now let us talk of Tommy Pots;To his lord and master for aid went he.But when he came Lord Jockey before,He kneeled lowly on his knee;"What news, what news, thou Tommy Pots,135Thou art so full of courtesie?"What tydings, what tydings, thou Tommy Pots,Thou art so full of courtesie?Thou hast slain some of thy fellows fair,Or wrought to me some villany."140"I have slain none of my fellows fair,Nor wrought to you no villany,But I have a love in Scotland fair,And I fear I shall lose her with poverty."If you'l not believe me by word of mouth,145But read this letter, and you shall see,Here by all these suspitious wordsThat she her own self hath sent to me."But when he had read the letter fair,Of all the suspitious words in it might be,150"O Tommy Pots, take thou no care,Thou'st never lose her with poverty."For thou'st have forty pounds a week,In gold and silver thou shalt row,And Harvy town I will give thee,155As long as thou intend'st to wooe."Thou'st have forty of thy fellows fair,And forty horses to go with thee,Forty of the best spears I have,And I myself in thy company."160"I thank you, master," said Tommy Pots,"That proffer is too good for me;But, if Jesus Christ stand on my side,My own hands shall set her free."God be with you, master," said Tommy Pots,165"Now Jesus Christ you save and see;If ever I come alive again,Staid the wedding it shall be.""O God be your speed, thou Tommy Pots,Thou art well proved for a man;170See never a drop of blood thou spil,Nor yonder gentleman confound."See that some truce with him thou take,And appoint a place of liberty;Let him provide him as well as he can,175As well provided thou shalt be."But when he came to Guildford-green,And there had walkt a little aside,There he was ware of Lord Phenix come,And Lady Rosamond his bride.180Away by the bride then Tommy Pots went,But never a word to her he did say,Till he the Lord Phenix came before;He gave him the right time of the day."O welcome, welcome, thou Tommy Pots,185Thou serving-man of low degree;How doth thy lord and master at home,And all the ladies in that country?""My lord and master is in good health,I trust since that I did him see;190Will you walk with me to an out-side,Two or three words to talk with me?"You are a noble man," said Tom,"And born a lord in Scotland free;You may have ladies enough at home,195And never take my love from me.""Away, away, thou Tommy Pots;Thou serving-man, stand thou aside;It is not a serving-man this day,That can hinder me of my bride."200"If I be a serving-man," said Tom,"And you a lord of high degree,A spear or two with you I'le run,Before I'le lose her cowardly."Appoint a place, I will thee meet,205Appoint a place of liberty;For there I'le lose my life so sweet,Or else my lady I'le set free.""On Guildford-green I will thee meet;No man nor boy shall come with me."210"As I am a man," said Tommy Pots,"I'le have as few in my company."And thus staid the marriage was,The bride unmarried went home again;Then to her maids fast did she laugh,215And in her heart she was full fain."My maidens all," the lady said,"That ever wait on me this day,Now let us all kneel [lowly] down,And for Tommy Pots let us all pray.220"If it be his fortune the better to win,As I trust to God in trinity,Ile make him the flower of all his kin,For the young Lord Arundel he shall be."
Let's leave talking of this lady fair,In prayers full good where she may be;130Now let us talk of Tommy Pots;To his lord and master for aid went he.
But when he came Lord Jockey before,He kneeled lowly on his knee;"What news, what news, thou Tommy Pots,135Thou art so full of courtesie?
"What tydings, what tydings, thou Tommy Pots,Thou art so full of courtesie?Thou hast slain some of thy fellows fair,Or wrought to me some villany."140
"I have slain none of my fellows fair,Nor wrought to you no villany,But I have a love in Scotland fair,And I fear I shall lose her with poverty.
"If you'l not believe me by word of mouth,145But read this letter, and you shall see,Here by all these suspitious wordsThat she her own self hath sent to me."
But when he had read the letter fair,Of all the suspitious words in it might be,150"O Tommy Pots, take thou no care,Thou'st never lose her with poverty.
"For thou'st have forty pounds a week,In gold and silver thou shalt row,And Harvy town I will give thee,155As long as thou intend'st to wooe.
"Thou'st have forty of thy fellows fair,And forty horses to go with thee,Forty of the best spears I have,And I myself in thy company."160
"I thank you, master," said Tommy Pots,"That proffer is too good for me;But, if Jesus Christ stand on my side,My own hands shall set her free.
"God be with you, master," said Tommy Pots,165"Now Jesus Christ you save and see;If ever I come alive again,Staid the wedding it shall be."
"O God be your speed, thou Tommy Pots,Thou art well proved for a man;170See never a drop of blood thou spil,Nor yonder gentleman confound.
"See that some truce with him thou take,And appoint a place of liberty;Let him provide him as well as he can,175As well provided thou shalt be."
But when he came to Guildford-green,And there had walkt a little aside,There he was ware of Lord Phenix come,And Lady Rosamond his bride.180
Away by the bride then Tommy Pots went,But never a word to her he did say,Till he the Lord Phenix came before;He gave him the right time of the day.
"O welcome, welcome, thou Tommy Pots,185Thou serving-man of low degree;How doth thy lord and master at home,And all the ladies in that country?"
"My lord and master is in good health,I trust since that I did him see;190Will you walk with me to an out-side,Two or three words to talk with me?
"You are a noble man," said Tom,"And born a lord in Scotland free;You may have ladies enough at home,195And never take my love from me."
"Away, away, thou Tommy Pots;Thou serving-man, stand thou aside;It is not a serving-man this day,That can hinder me of my bride."200
"If I be a serving-man," said Tom,"And you a lord of high degree,A spear or two with you I'le run,Before I'le lose her cowardly.
"Appoint a place, I will thee meet,205Appoint a place of liberty;For there I'le lose my life so sweet,Or else my lady I'le set free."
"On Guildford-green I will thee meet;No man nor boy shall come with me."210"As I am a man," said Tommy Pots,"I'le have as few in my company."
And thus staid the marriage was,The bride unmarried went home again;Then to her maids fast did she laugh,215And in her heart she was full fain.
"My maidens all," the lady said,"That ever wait on me this day,Now let us all kneel [lowly] down,And for Tommy Pots let us all pray.220
"If it be his fortune the better to win,As I trust to God in trinity,Ile make him the flower of all his kin,For the young Lord Arundel he shall be."
When Tom Pots came home again,225To try for his love he had but a week;For sorrow, God wot, he need not care,For four days that he fel sick.With that his master to him came,Says, "Pray thee, Tom Pots, tell me if thou doubtWhether thou hast gotten thy gay lady,231Or thou must go thy love without.""O master, yet it is unknown;Within these two days well try'd it must be;He is a lord, I am but a serving-man,235I fear I shall lose her with poverty.""I prethee, Tom Pots, get thee on thy feet,My former promises kept shall be;As I am a lord in Scotland fair,Thou'st never lose her with poverty.240"For thou'st have the half of my lands a year,And that will raise thee many a pound;Before thou shalt out-braved be,Thou shalt drop angels with him on the ground.""I thank you, master," said Tommy Pots,245"Yet there is one thing of you I would fain;If that I lose my lady sweet,How I'st restore your goods again?""If that thou win the lady sweet,Thou mayst well forth thou shalt pay me:250If thou losest thy lady, thou losest enough;Thou shalt not pay me one penny.""You have thirty horses in one close,You keep them all both frank and free;Amongst them all there's an old white horse255This day would set my lady free."That is an old horse with a cut tail,Full sixteen years of age is he;If thou wilt lend me that old horse,Then could I win her easily."260"That's a foolish opinion," his master said,"And a foolish opinion thou tak'st to thee;Thou'st have a better then ever he was,Though forty pounds more it should cost me.""O your choice horses are wild and tough,265And little they can skill of their train;If I be out of my saddle cast,They are so wild they'l ne'r be tain.""Thou'st have that horse," his master said,"If that one thing thou wilttell me;270Why that horse is better than any other,I pray thee, Tom Pots, shew thou to me.""That horse is old, of stomach bold,And well can he skill of his train;If I be out of my saddle cast,275He'l either stand still, or turn again.""Thou'st have the horse with all my heart,And my plate coat of silver free;An hundred men to stand at thy back,To fight if he thy master be."280"I thank you master," said Tommy Pots,"That proffer is too good for me;I would not for ten thousand pounds,Have man or boy in my company."God be with you, master," said Tommy Pots,285"Now, as you are a man of law,One thing let me crave at your hand;Let never a one of my fellows know."For if that my fellows they did wot,Or ken of my extremity,290Except you keep them under a lock,Behind me I'm sure they would not be."But when he came to Guildford-green,He waited hours two or three;There he was ware of Lord Phenix come,295And four men in his company."You have broken your vow," said Tommy Pots,"The vow which you did make to me;You said you would bring neither man nor boy,And now has brought more than two or three."300"These are my men," Lord Phenix said,"Which every day do wait on me;If any of them dare proffer to strike,I'le run my spear through his body.""I'le run no race now," said Tommy Pots,305"Except now this may be;If either of us be slain this day,The other shall forgiven be.""I'le make that vow with all my heart,My men shall bear witness with me;310And if thou slay me here this day,In Scotland worse belov'd thou never shalt be."They turn'd their horses thrice about,To run the race so eagerly;Lord Phenix he was fierce and stout,315And ran Tom Pots through the thick o' th' thigh.He bor'd him out of the saddle fair,Down to the ground so sorrowfully:"For the loss of my life I do not care,But for the loss of my fair lady.320"Now for the loss of my lady sweet,Which once I thought to have been my wife,I pray thee, Lord Phenix, ride not away,For with thee I would end my life."Tom Pots was but a serving-man,325But yet he was a doctor good;He bound his handkerchief on his wound,And with some kind of words he stancht his blood.He leapt into his saddle again,The blood in his body began to warm;330He mist Lord Phenix body fair,And ran him through the brawn of the arm.He bor'd him out of his saddle fair,Down to the ground most sorrowfully;Says, "Prethee, Lord Phenix, rise up and fight,335Or yield my lady unto me.""Now for to fight I cannot tell,And for to fight I am not sure;Thou hast run me throw the brawn o' the arm,That with a spear I may not endure.340"Thou'st have the lady with all my heart;It was never likely better to proveWith me, or any nobleman else,That would hinder a poor man of his love.""Seeing you say so much," said Tommy Pots,345I will not seem your butcher to be;But I will come and stanch your blood,If any thing you will give me."As he did stanch Lord Phenix blood,Lord! in his heart he did rejoice;350"I'le not take the lady from you thus,But of her you'st have another choice."Here is a lane of two miles long;At either end we set will be;The lady shall stand us among,355Her own choice shall set her free.""If thou'l do so," Lord Phenix said,"To lose her by her own choice it's honesty;Chuse whether I get her, or go her without,Forty pounds I will give thee."360But when they in that lane was set,The wit of a woman for to prove,"By the faith of my body," the lady said,"Then Tom Pots must needs have his love."Towards Tom Pots the lady did hie,365To get behind him hastily;"Nay stay, nay stay," Lord Phenix said,"Better proved it shall be."Stay you with your maidens here,In number fair they are but three;370Tom Pots and I will go behind yonder wall,That one of us two be proved to dye."But when they came behind the wall,The one came not the other nigh;For the Lord Phenix had made a vow,375That with Tom Pots he would never fight."O give me this choice," Lord Phenix said,"To prove whether true or false she be,And I will go to the lady fair,And tell her Tom Pots slain is he."380When he came from behind the wall,With his face all bloody as it might be,"O lady sweet, thou art my own,For Tom Pots slain is he."Now have I slain him, Tommy Pots,385And given him deaths wounds two or three;O lady sweet, thou art my own;Of all loves, wilt thou live with me?""If thou hast slain him, Tommy Pots,And given him deaths wounds two or three,390I'le sell the state of my fathers lands,But hanged shall Lord Phenix be."With that the lady fell in a swound,For a grieved woman, God wot, was she;Lord Phenix he was ready then,395To take her up so hastily."O lady sweet, stand thou on thy feet,Tom Pots alive this day may be;I'le send for thy father, Lord Arundel,400And he and I the wedding will see."I'le send for thy father, Lord Arundel,And he and I the wedding will see;If he will not maintain you well,Both lands and livings you'st have of me.""I'le see this wedding," Lord Arundel said,405"Of my daughters luck that is so fair;Seeing the matter will be no better,Of all my lands Tom Pots shall be the heir."With that the lady began for to smile,For a glad woman, God wot, was she;410"Now all my maids," the lady said,"Example you may take by me."But all the ladies of Scotland fair,And lasses of England that well would prove,Neither marry for gold nor goods,415Nor marry for nothing but only love."For I had a lover true of my own,A serving-man of low degree;Now from Tom Pots I'le change his name,For the young Lord Arundel he shall be."420
When Tom Pots came home again,225To try for his love he had but a week;For sorrow, God wot, he need not care,For four days that he fel sick.
With that his master to him came,Says, "Pray thee, Tom Pots, tell me if thou doubtWhether thou hast gotten thy gay lady,231Or thou must go thy love without."
"O master, yet it is unknown;Within these two days well try'd it must be;He is a lord, I am but a serving-man,235I fear I shall lose her with poverty."
"I prethee, Tom Pots, get thee on thy feet,My former promises kept shall be;As I am a lord in Scotland fair,Thou'st never lose her with poverty.240
"For thou'st have the half of my lands a year,And that will raise thee many a pound;Before thou shalt out-braved be,Thou shalt drop angels with him on the ground."
"I thank you, master," said Tommy Pots,245"Yet there is one thing of you I would fain;If that I lose my lady sweet,How I'st restore your goods again?"
"If that thou win the lady sweet,Thou mayst well forth thou shalt pay me:250If thou losest thy lady, thou losest enough;Thou shalt not pay me one penny."
"You have thirty horses in one close,You keep them all both frank and free;Amongst them all there's an old white horse255This day would set my lady free.
"That is an old horse with a cut tail,Full sixteen years of age is he;If thou wilt lend me that old horse,Then could I win her easily."260
"That's a foolish opinion," his master said,"And a foolish opinion thou tak'st to thee;Thou'st have a better then ever he was,Though forty pounds more it should cost me."
"O your choice horses are wild and tough,265And little they can skill of their train;If I be out of my saddle cast,They are so wild they'l ne'r be tain."
"Thou'st have that horse," his master said,"If that one thing thou wilttell me;270Why that horse is better than any other,I pray thee, Tom Pots, shew thou to me."
"That horse is old, of stomach bold,And well can he skill of his train;If I be out of my saddle cast,275He'l either stand still, or turn again."
"Thou'st have the horse with all my heart,And my plate coat of silver free;An hundred men to stand at thy back,To fight if he thy master be."280
"I thank you master," said Tommy Pots,"That proffer is too good for me;I would not for ten thousand pounds,Have man or boy in my company.
"God be with you, master," said Tommy Pots,285"Now, as you are a man of law,One thing let me crave at your hand;Let never a one of my fellows know.
"For if that my fellows they did wot,Or ken of my extremity,290Except you keep them under a lock,Behind me I'm sure they would not be."
But when he came to Guildford-green,He waited hours two or three;There he was ware of Lord Phenix come,295And four men in his company.
"You have broken your vow," said Tommy Pots,"The vow which you did make to me;You said you would bring neither man nor boy,And now has brought more than two or three."300
"These are my men," Lord Phenix said,"Which every day do wait on me;If any of them dare proffer to strike,I'le run my spear through his body."
"I'le run no race now," said Tommy Pots,305"Except now this may be;If either of us be slain this day,The other shall forgiven be."
"I'le make that vow with all my heart,My men shall bear witness with me;310And if thou slay me here this day,In Scotland worse belov'd thou never shalt be."
They turn'd their horses thrice about,To run the race so eagerly;Lord Phenix he was fierce and stout,315And ran Tom Pots through the thick o' th' thigh.
He bor'd him out of the saddle fair,Down to the ground so sorrowfully:"For the loss of my life I do not care,But for the loss of my fair lady.320
"Now for the loss of my lady sweet,Which once I thought to have been my wife,I pray thee, Lord Phenix, ride not away,For with thee I would end my life."
Tom Pots was but a serving-man,325But yet he was a doctor good;He bound his handkerchief on his wound,And with some kind of words he stancht his blood.
He leapt into his saddle again,The blood in his body began to warm;330He mist Lord Phenix body fair,And ran him through the brawn of the arm.
He bor'd him out of his saddle fair,Down to the ground most sorrowfully;Says, "Prethee, Lord Phenix, rise up and fight,335Or yield my lady unto me."
"Now for to fight I cannot tell,And for to fight I am not sure;Thou hast run me throw the brawn o' the arm,That with a spear I may not endure.340
"Thou'st have the lady with all my heart;It was never likely better to proveWith me, or any nobleman else,That would hinder a poor man of his love."
"Seeing you say so much," said Tommy Pots,345I will not seem your butcher to be;But I will come and stanch your blood,If any thing you will give me."
As he did stanch Lord Phenix blood,Lord! in his heart he did rejoice;350"I'le not take the lady from you thus,But of her you'st have another choice.
"Here is a lane of two miles long;At either end we set will be;The lady shall stand us among,355Her own choice shall set her free."
"If thou'l do so," Lord Phenix said,"To lose her by her own choice it's honesty;Chuse whether I get her, or go her without,Forty pounds I will give thee."360
But when they in that lane was set,The wit of a woman for to prove,"By the faith of my body," the lady said,"Then Tom Pots must needs have his love."
Towards Tom Pots the lady did hie,365To get behind him hastily;"Nay stay, nay stay," Lord Phenix said,"Better proved it shall be.
"Stay you with your maidens here,In number fair they are but three;370Tom Pots and I will go behind yonder wall,That one of us two be proved to dye."
But when they came behind the wall,The one came not the other nigh;For the Lord Phenix had made a vow,375That with Tom Pots he would never fight.
"O give me this choice," Lord Phenix said,"To prove whether true or false she be,And I will go to the lady fair,And tell her Tom Pots slain is he."380
When he came from behind the wall,With his face all bloody as it might be,"O lady sweet, thou art my own,For Tom Pots slain is he.
"Now have I slain him, Tommy Pots,385And given him deaths wounds two or three;O lady sweet, thou art my own;Of all loves, wilt thou live with me?"
"If thou hast slain him, Tommy Pots,And given him deaths wounds two or three,390I'le sell the state of my fathers lands,But hanged shall Lord Phenix be."
With that the lady fell in a swound,For a grieved woman, God wot, was she;Lord Phenix he was ready then,395To take her up so hastily.
"O lady sweet, stand thou on thy feet,Tom Pots alive this day may be;I'le send for thy father, Lord Arundel,400And he and I the wedding will see.
"I'le send for thy father, Lord Arundel,And he and I the wedding will see;If he will not maintain you well,Both lands and livings you'st have of me."
"I'le see this wedding," Lord Arundel said,405"Of my daughters luck that is so fair;Seeing the matter will be no better,Of all my lands Tom Pots shall be the heir."
With that the lady began for to smile,For a glad woman, God wot, was she;410"Now all my maids," the lady said,"Example you may take by me.
"But all the ladies of Scotland fair,And lasses of England that well would prove,Neither marry for gold nor goods,415Nor marry for nothing but only love.
"For I had a lover true of my own,A serving-man of low degree;Now from Tom Pots I'le change his name,For the young Lord Arundel he shall be."420
v.270, me tell.329,i. e.he made use of a charm for that purpose.
v.270, me tell.
329,i. e.he made use of a charm for that purpose.
From Collier'sBook of Roxburghe Ballads, p. 104.
"This narrative ballad, which is full of graceful but unadorned simplicity, is mentioned in Fletcher'sMonsieur Thomas, (Act iii. Sc. 3,) by the name ofMaudlin the Merchant's Daughter. Two early editions of it are known: one without printer's name, (clearly much older than the other,) is that which we have used; we may conclude that it was written considerably before James I. came to the throne. It was last reprinted in 1738, but in that impression it was much modernized and corrupted."
Behold the touchstone of true love,Maudlin the Merchant's Daughter of Bristow towne,Whose firme affection nothing could move;This favour beares the lovely browne.A gallant youth was dwelling by,5Which many yeares had borne this lady great good will;Shee loved him so faithfully,But all her friends withstood it still.The young man now, perceiving wellHe could not get nor win the favour of her friends,10The force of sorrow to expellTo view strange countreys hee intends.And now, to take his last farewellOf his true love, his faire and constant Maudlen,With musicke sweete that did excell15Hee plaies under her window then."Farewell," quoth he, "mine owne true love,Farewell, my deare, and chiefest treasure of my heart!Through fortune's spight, that false did prove,I am inforc'd from thee to part,20"Into the land of Italy:There wil I waile, and weary out my dayes in wo;Seeing my true love is kept from mee,I hold my life a mortal fo."Faire Bristow towne, therefore, adieu,25For Padua shall bee my habitation now;Although my love doth lodge in thee,To whom alone my heart I vow."With trickling teares this hee did sing,With sighs and sobs descending from his heart full sore:Hee said, when he his hands did wring,31"Farewell, sweet love, for evermore!"Fair Maudlin, from a window highBeholding her true love with musicke where hee stood,But not a word she durst reply,35Fearing her parents angry mood.In teares she spent this dolefull night,Wishing (though naked) with her faithfull friend:She blames her friends, and fortune's spight,That wrought their loves such lucklesse end.40And in her heart shee made a vowCleane to forsake her country and her kinsfolkes all,And for to follow her true love,To bide all chance that might befall.The night is gone, and the day is come,45And in the morning very early shee did rise:She gets her downe in a lower roome,Where sundrie seamen she espies.A gallant master amongst them all,(The master of a faire and goodlie ship was he)50Who there stood waiting in the hall,To speake with her father, if it might be.She kindly takes him by the hand:"Good sir," said shee, "would you speake with any heere?"Quoth he, "Faire maid, therefore I stand:"55"Then, gentle sir, I pray you draw neere."Into a pleasant parlour by,With hand in hand she brings the seaman all alone;Sighing to him most piteously,She thus to him did make her moane.60Shee falls upon her tender knee:"Good sir," she said, "now pittie you a woman's woe,And prove a faithfull friend to me,That I my griefe to you may shew.""Sith you repose your trust," he said,65"To me that am unknowne, and eke a stranger heere,Be you assur'd, most proper maid,Most faithfull still I will appeare.""I have a brother, then," quoth shee,"Whom as my life I love and favour tenderlie:70In Padua, alas! is he,Full sicke, God wot, and like to die."And faine I would my brother see,But that my father will not yeeld to let me goe;Wherefore, good sir, be good to mee,75And unto me this favour shew."Some ship-boye's garment bring to mee,That I disguis'd may goe away from hence unknowne;And unto sea Ile goe with thee,If thus much favour may be showne."80"Faire maid," quoth he, "take heere my hand:I will fulfill each thing that you desire,And set you safe in that same land,And in that place that you require."She gave him then a tender kisse,85And saith, "Your servant, gallant master, will I be,And prove your faithfull friend for this:Sweet master, then, forget not me."This done, as they had both decreed,Soone after (early) before the breake of day,90He brings her garments then with speed,Wherein she doth her selfe array:And ere her father did arise,Shee meets her master as he walkes in the hall:Shee did attend on him likewise,95Even till her father did him call.But ere the Merchant made an endOf all the matters to the master he could say,His wife came weeping in with speed,Saying, "Our daughter is gone away!"100The Merchant, thus amaz'd in mind,"Yonder vile wretch intic'd away my child," quoth he;"But, well I wot, I shall him findAt Padua, in Italy."With that bespake the master brave:105"Worshipfull master, thither goes this pretty youth,And any thing that you would have,He will performe it, and write the truth.""Sweet youth," quoth hee, "if it be so,Beare me a letter to the English merchants there,110And gold on thee I will bestow:My daughter's welfare I do feare."Her mother takes her by the hand;"Faire youth," qd she, "if there thou dost my daughter see,Let me thereof soone understand,115And there is twenty crownes for thee."Thus, through the daughter's strange disguise,The mother knew not when shee spake unto her child;And after her master straightway shee hies,Taking her leave with countenance milde.120Thus to the sea faire Maudlin is goneWith her gentle master; God send them a merry wind;Where wee a while must let them alone,Till you the second part doe find.
Behold the touchstone of true love,Maudlin the Merchant's Daughter of Bristow towne,Whose firme affection nothing could move;This favour beares the lovely browne.
A gallant youth was dwelling by,5Which many yeares had borne this lady great good will;Shee loved him so faithfully,But all her friends withstood it still.
The young man now, perceiving wellHe could not get nor win the favour of her friends,10The force of sorrow to expellTo view strange countreys hee intends.
And now, to take his last farewellOf his true love, his faire and constant Maudlen,With musicke sweete that did excell15Hee plaies under her window then.
"Farewell," quoth he, "mine owne true love,Farewell, my deare, and chiefest treasure of my heart!Through fortune's spight, that false did prove,I am inforc'd from thee to part,20
"Into the land of Italy:There wil I waile, and weary out my dayes in wo;Seeing my true love is kept from mee,I hold my life a mortal fo.
"Faire Bristow towne, therefore, adieu,25For Padua shall bee my habitation now;Although my love doth lodge in thee,To whom alone my heart I vow."
With trickling teares this hee did sing,With sighs and sobs descending from his heart full sore:Hee said, when he his hands did wring,31"Farewell, sweet love, for evermore!"
Fair Maudlin, from a window highBeholding her true love with musicke where hee stood,But not a word she durst reply,35Fearing her parents angry mood.
In teares she spent this dolefull night,Wishing (though naked) with her faithfull friend:She blames her friends, and fortune's spight,That wrought their loves such lucklesse end.40
And in her heart shee made a vowCleane to forsake her country and her kinsfolkes all,And for to follow her true love,To bide all chance that might befall.
The night is gone, and the day is come,45And in the morning very early shee did rise:She gets her downe in a lower roome,Where sundrie seamen she espies.
A gallant master amongst them all,(The master of a faire and goodlie ship was he)50Who there stood waiting in the hall,To speake with her father, if it might be.
She kindly takes him by the hand:"Good sir," said shee, "would you speake with any heere?"Quoth he, "Faire maid, therefore I stand:"55"Then, gentle sir, I pray you draw neere."
Into a pleasant parlour by,With hand in hand she brings the seaman all alone;Sighing to him most piteously,She thus to him did make her moane.60
Shee falls upon her tender knee:"Good sir," she said, "now pittie you a woman's woe,And prove a faithfull friend to me,That I my griefe to you may shew."
"Sith you repose your trust," he said,65"To me that am unknowne, and eke a stranger heere,Be you assur'd, most proper maid,Most faithfull still I will appeare."
"I have a brother, then," quoth shee,"Whom as my life I love and favour tenderlie:70In Padua, alas! is he,Full sicke, God wot, and like to die.
"And faine I would my brother see,But that my father will not yeeld to let me goe;Wherefore, good sir, be good to mee,75And unto me this favour shew.
"Some ship-boye's garment bring to mee,That I disguis'd may goe away from hence unknowne;And unto sea Ile goe with thee,If thus much favour may be showne."80
"Faire maid," quoth he, "take heere my hand:I will fulfill each thing that you desire,And set you safe in that same land,And in that place that you require."
She gave him then a tender kisse,85And saith, "Your servant, gallant master, will I be,And prove your faithfull friend for this:Sweet master, then, forget not me."
This done, as they had both decreed,Soone after (early) before the breake of day,90He brings her garments then with speed,Wherein she doth her selfe array:
And ere her father did arise,Shee meets her master as he walkes in the hall:Shee did attend on him likewise,95Even till her father did him call.
But ere the Merchant made an endOf all the matters to the master he could say,His wife came weeping in with speed,Saying, "Our daughter is gone away!"100
The Merchant, thus amaz'd in mind,"Yonder vile wretch intic'd away my child," quoth he;"But, well I wot, I shall him findAt Padua, in Italy."
With that bespake the master brave:105"Worshipfull master, thither goes this pretty youth,And any thing that you would have,He will performe it, and write the truth."
"Sweet youth," quoth hee, "if it be so,Beare me a letter to the English merchants there,110And gold on thee I will bestow:My daughter's welfare I do feare."
Her mother takes her by the hand;"Faire youth," qd she, "if there thou dost my daughter see,Let me thereof soone understand,115And there is twenty crownes for thee."
Thus, through the daughter's strange disguise,The mother knew not when shee spake unto her child;And after her master straightway shee hies,Taking her leave with countenance milde.120
Thus to the sea faire Maudlin is goneWith her gentle master; God send them a merry wind;Where wee a while must let them alone,Till you the second part doe find.