1'Speak for yoursell, John Stewart,' he did say,'Speak for yoursell, John Stewart,' he did say,'Speak for yoursell, John Stewart,' he did say,'And soon an answer I will gie to thee;The highest service I can give theeIs to wait on my daughter Ailly.2' . . . . . . .. . . . . . .If ever I gie a man a penny wage,I'm sure, John Stewart, ye shall hae three.'3'I speak not for mysell,' John Stewart he did say,'I speak for a lord of a higher degree;The message is from my brother William,Your loving daughter's husband to be.'4' . . . . . . .. . . . . . .I'll rather beat fair Ailly in my leather bang,As lang as she can either stand or gang.'5. . . . . . .. . . . . . .'Ye hadna beat her before my faceOr ye'll beat three hundred men and me.'6When William came to Mulbery Hall,He kissd the ladies one and all;But when he cam to fair Ailly,She thought he might hae gaen her twa or three.7Between the kitchen and the gardenIt is calld a measured mile;That lady and that lord fell into discourse,And they thought they rode it in a short while.Chorus:Tring dilly, tring dilly, tring ding dido,Tring dilly, tring dilly, dolo dee.
1'Speak for yoursell, John Stewart,' he did say,'Speak for yoursell, John Stewart,' he did say,'Speak for yoursell, John Stewart,' he did say,'And soon an answer I will gie to thee;The highest service I can give theeIs to wait on my daughter Ailly.
2' . . . . . . .. . . . . . .
If ever I gie a man a penny wage,I'm sure, John Stewart, ye shall hae three.'
3'I speak not for mysell,' John Stewart he did say,'I speak for a lord of a higher degree;The message is from my brother William,Your loving daughter's husband to be.'
4' . . . . . . .. . . . . . .I'll rather beat fair Ailly in my leather bang,As lang as she can either stand or gang.'
5. . . . . . .. . . . . . .'Ye hadna beat her before my faceOr ye'll beat three hundred men and me.'
6When William came to Mulbery Hall,He kissd the ladies one and all;But when he cam to fair Ailly,She thought he might hae gaen her twa or three.
7Between the kitchen and the gardenIt is calld a measured mile;That lady and that lord fell into discourse,And they thought they rode it in a short while.
Chorus:Tring dilly, tring dilly, tring ding dido,Tring dilly, tring dilly, dolo dee.
A.21. by 2.144. haue 3.241. a 100.274. loveis written in the MS. by a later hand betweenthenandI.Furnivall.293. a 100d.294. 11 score.301. a 100.364. him 3.371. 16 games.374. 12 of.383. Marrs.384. & the Erle.403. March.434. a 100d: men and nee.444. mighthas two strokes for theiin the MS. Furnivall.484. amongsthas four strokes for themin the MS. Furnivall.513. in L,MS.Furnivall.521. Mars.603. March.613. 4 garters.614. 2 aboue.734. dayes 3.751. a 100d. Gunnershasmin place ofnn.Furnivall.753.Two or three letters appear one over the other for thesinryders.Furnivall.784. vnto 3, all 3.803. a 100 d.804. 11 score.811. a 100d.843. ninstead ofminhome.Furnivall.851. in 12.854. chrsten.Andthroughout for&.
A.
21. by 2.
144. haue 3.
241. a 100.
274. loveis written in the MS. by a later hand betweenthenandI.Furnivall.
293. a 100d.
294. 11 score.
301. a 100.
364. him 3.
371. 16 games.
374. 12 of.
383. Marrs.
384. & the Erle.
403. March.
434. a 100d: men and nee.
444. mighthas two strokes for theiin the MS. Furnivall.
484. amongsthas four strokes for themin the MS. Furnivall.
513. in L,MS.Furnivall.
521. Mars.
603. March.
613. 4 garters.
614. 2 aboue.
734. dayes 3.
751. a 100d. Gunnershasmin place ofnn.Furnivall.
753.Two or three letters appear one over the other for thesinryders.Furnivall.
784. vnto 3, all 3.
803. a 100 d.
804. 11 score.
811. a 100d.
843. ninstead ofminhome.Furnivall.
851. in 12.
854. chrsten.
Andthroughout for&.
'Christopher White,' Percy MS., p. 513; Hales and Furnivall, III, 494.
A rich merchant, burgess of Edinburgh, overhears a lady making moan for Christopher White, who is banished from England. He makes her great offers to abandon Christopher and lay her love on him. She resists these offers at first, and tells him that if she is false to Christopher she cannot be true to him. But silver and gold makes her heart turn and makes her leave good company. After she has been married two or three months tidings come to Edinburgh that all the merchants must to sea; it is for service against Spain, 174. The lady takes advantage of her husband's absence to write to Christopher; she sends him a hundred pound and bids him come to Edinburgh. Christopher first goes to London and obtains pardon of the king of England, then makes for Edinburgh. The lady tells him that she is a merchant's wife, and he shall have enough of the merchant's gold. Christopher, who seems not till then to have known of her marriage, begins an indignant answer, but the lady cuts him short with an offer to go to England with him. They pack up silver and gold and make off to Little England, whatever that may be (perhaps a Percy MS. phrase: see 'Hugh Spencer,' st. 34). The merchant comes back, and is told that his wife has fled with Christopher. He does not care for the loss of silver and gold, but mourns for the lady, who, he frankly owns, had given him due warning of what he might look for.
1As I walked fforth one morninge,By one placethat pleased mee,Wherin I heard a wandering wight,Sais, Christopher White is good companye.2I drew me neere, and very neere,Till I was as neere as neere cold bee;Loth I was her councell to discreene,Because I wanted companye.3'Say on, say on, thou well faire mayd,Why makest thou moane soe heauilye?'Sais, All is ffor one wandering wight,Is banished fforth of his owne countrye.4'I am the burgesse of Edenburrow,Soe am I more of townes three;I haue money and gold great store,Come, sweet wench, and ligg thy loue on mee.'5The merchant pulled forth a bagg of goldWhich had hundreds two or three;Sais, Euery day throughout the weekeI'le comt as much downe on thy knee.6'O merchant, take thy gold againe,A good liuing 't will purchase thee;If I be ffalse to ChristopherWhite,Merchant, I cannott be true to thee.'7Sais, I haue halls, soe haue I bowers,Sais, I haue shipps sayling on the sea;I ame the burgess of Edenburrowe;Come, sweete wench, ligge thy loue on mee.8Come on, come, thou well faire mayde,Of our matters lett vs goe throughe,For to-morrowe I 'le marry thee,And thy dwelling shalbe in Edenburrough.9The lady shee tooke this gold in her hand,The teares thé ffell ffast ffrom her eye;Sais, Siluer and gold makes my hart to turne,And makes me leaue good companye.10They had not beene marryedNot ouer monthes two or three,But tydings came to EdenburroweThatall the merchants must to the sea.11Then as this lady sate in a deske,Shee made a loue-letter ffull round;She mad a lettre to ChristopherWhite,And in itt shee put a hundred pound.12She lin'd the letter with gold soe red,And mony good store in itt was found;Shee sent itt to ChristopherWhite,That was soe ffar in the Scotts ground.13Shee bade him then ffrankely spend,And lookethat hee shold merry bee,And bid him come to Edenburrowe,Now all the merchants be to the sea.14But Christophercame to leeue London,And there he kneeled lowly downe,And there hee begd his pardon then,Of our noble king that ware the crowne.15But when he came to his true-loue's house,Which was made both of lime and stone,Shee tooke him by the lily-white hand,Sais, True-loue, you are welcome home!16Welcome, my honey, welcome, my ioy,Welcome, my true-loue; home to mee!Ffor thou art heethat will lengthen my dayes,And I know thou art good companye.17Christopher, I am a merchant's wiffe;Christopher, the more shall be your gaine;Siluer and gold you shall haue enough,Of the merchant's goldthat is in Spaine.18'But if you be a merchant's wiffe,Something tó much you are to blame;I will thee reade a loue-letterShall sture thy stumpes, thou noble dame.19'Althoug I be a marchant's wiffe,... shall ... mine... and g ...Into England I'le goe with the.'20They packet vp both siluer and plate,Siluer and gold soe great plentye,And they be gon into Litle England,And the marchant must them neuersee.21And when the merchants they came home,Their wiues to eche other can say,Heere hath beene good ChristopherWhite,And he hath tane thy wiffe away.22They haue packett vp spoone and plate,Siluer and gold great plenty,And they be gon into Litle England,And them againe thow must neuersee.23'I care nott ffor my siluer and gold,Nor for my plate soe great plentye,But I mourne forthat like-some ladyeThat ChristopherWhite hath tane ffrom mee.24'But one thing I must needs confesse,This lady shee did say to me,If shee were ffalse to ChristopherWhite,Shee cold neuerbe true to mee.25'All young men a warning take,A warning, looke, you take by mee;Lookethat you loue your old loues best,For infaith they are best companye.'
1As I walked fforth one morninge,By one placethat pleased mee,Wherin I heard a wandering wight,Sais, Christopher White is good companye.
2I drew me neere, and very neere,Till I was as neere as neere cold bee;Loth I was her councell to discreene,Because I wanted companye.
3'Say on, say on, thou well faire mayd,Why makest thou moane soe heauilye?'Sais, All is ffor one wandering wight,Is banished fforth of his owne countrye.
4'I am the burgesse of Edenburrow,Soe am I more of townes three;I haue money and gold great store,Come, sweet wench, and ligg thy loue on mee.'
5The merchant pulled forth a bagg of goldWhich had hundreds two or three;Sais, Euery day throughout the weekeI'le comt as much downe on thy knee.
6'O merchant, take thy gold againe,A good liuing 't will purchase thee;If I be ffalse to ChristopherWhite,Merchant, I cannott be true to thee.'
7Sais, I haue halls, soe haue I bowers,Sais, I haue shipps sayling on the sea;I ame the burgess of Edenburrowe;Come, sweete wench, ligge thy loue on mee.
8Come on, come, thou well faire mayde,Of our matters lett vs goe throughe,For to-morrowe I 'le marry thee,And thy dwelling shalbe in Edenburrough.
9The lady shee tooke this gold in her hand,The teares thé ffell ffast ffrom her eye;Sais, Siluer and gold makes my hart to turne,And makes me leaue good companye.
10They had not beene marryedNot ouer monthes two or three,But tydings came to EdenburroweThatall the merchants must to the sea.
11Then as this lady sate in a deske,Shee made a loue-letter ffull round;She mad a lettre to ChristopherWhite,And in itt shee put a hundred pound.
12She lin'd the letter with gold soe red,And mony good store in itt was found;Shee sent itt to ChristopherWhite,That was soe ffar in the Scotts ground.
13Shee bade him then ffrankely spend,And lookethat hee shold merry bee,And bid him come to Edenburrowe,Now all the merchants be to the sea.
14But Christophercame to leeue London,And there he kneeled lowly downe,And there hee begd his pardon then,Of our noble king that ware the crowne.
15But when he came to his true-loue's house,Which was made both of lime and stone,Shee tooke him by the lily-white hand,Sais, True-loue, you are welcome home!
16Welcome, my honey, welcome, my ioy,Welcome, my true-loue; home to mee!Ffor thou art heethat will lengthen my dayes,And I know thou art good companye.
17Christopher, I am a merchant's wiffe;Christopher, the more shall be your gaine;Siluer and gold you shall haue enough,Of the merchant's goldthat is in Spaine.
18'But if you be a merchant's wiffe,Something tó much you are to blame;I will thee reade a loue-letterShall sture thy stumpes, thou noble dame.
19'Althoug I be a marchant's wiffe,... shall ... mine... and g ...Into England I'le goe with the.'
20They packet vp both siluer and plate,Siluer and gold soe great plentye,And they be gon into Litle England,And the marchant must them neuersee.
21And when the merchants they came home,Their wiues to eche other can say,Heere hath beene good ChristopherWhite,And he hath tane thy wiffe away.
22They haue packett vp spoone and plate,Siluer and gold great plenty,And they be gon into Litle England,And them againe thow must neuersee.
23'I care nott ffor my siluer and gold,Nor for my plate soe great plentye,But I mourne forthat like-some ladyeThat ChristopherWhite hath tane ffrom mee.
24'But one thing I must needs confesse,This lady shee did say to me,If shee were ffalse to ChristopherWhite,Shee cold neuerbe true to mee.
25'All young men a warning take,A warning, looke, you take by mee;Lookethat you loue your old loues best,For infaith they are best companye.'
11. mornige.23. discreeme.32. thom.42. townes 3.52. 2 or.92. eyes.102. 2 or 3.114. 100li:.154. yorare.163. lenghen.183. lerter.184. stue thy.192, 3.The MS. is pared away at the bottom of p. 513, and the writing has perished and part of the paper is broken away at the top of p. 514. Furnivall.201. siluer & plate:see221.Andfor&,throughout.
11. mornige.
23. discreeme.
32. thom.
42. townes 3.
52. 2 or.
92. eyes.
102. 2 or 3.
114. 100li:.
154. yorare.
163. lenghen.
183. lerter.
184. stue thy.
192, 3.The MS. is pared away at the bottom of p. 513, and the writing has perished and part of the paper is broken away at the top of p. 514. Furnivall.
201. siluer & plate:see221.
Andfor&,throughout.
A.'Thomas of Potte,' Percy MS., p. 409; Hales and Furnivall, III, 135.B.'The Lovers Quarrel, or, Cupid's Triumph,' etc.a.London, printed for F. Coles, and others, 1677,b.Pepys Merriments, I, 189; Ritson, Pieces of Ancient Popular Poetry, p. 115, 1791.C.'The Two Constant Lovers in Scotland,' etc., broadside of 1657; Ritson's Ancient Songs, 1790, p. 248.
A.'Thomas of Potte,' Percy MS., p. 409; Hales and Furnivall, III, 135.
B.'The Lovers Quarrel, or, Cupid's Triumph,' etc.a.London, printed for F. Coles, and others, 1677,b.Pepys Merriments, I, 189; Ritson, Pieces of Ancient Popular Poetry, p. 115, 1791.
C.'The Two Constant Lovers in Scotland,' etc., broadside of 1657; Ritson's Ancient Songs, 1790, p. 248.
All the copies here printed are of the seventeenth century, and the ballad need not be put much beyond that date. Modernized editions, differing much, were issued in the century following, perhaps earlier, some of which have a Second Part, narrating the happy married life of Tom Potts, Lord Arundel, and Fair Rosamund. See Halliwell's Descriptive Notices of Popular English Histories, p. 17, No 15, Percy Society, vol. xxiii, and the notes toB.
Unequal matches are common enough in ballads and romances, and very naturally, since they are an easy expedient for exciting interest, at least with those who belong to the humbler party. We have other ballad-examples of disparagement on the female side in 'The Bonny Foot-Boy' and 'Ritchie Storie.' No offence seems to be given when King Cophetua weds the Beggar-Maid, but when the Lady of the Strachy marries the Yeoman of the Wardrobe good taste is shocked. Such events would be celebrated only by fellows of the yeoman or of the foot-boy, and surely in the present case the minstrel was not much above the estate of the serving-man. Lord Jockey's reckless liberality throughout, and Lord Phenix's in the end, is a mark of the serving-man's ideal nobleman.
Tom Potts stanches his blood with a charm inA754,B824, just as the sons of Autolycus do that of Ulysses in OdysseyXIX, 457 f. His rejecting of his master's thirty fine horses in favor of the old white cut-tail is a ludicrous repetition of Hugh Spencer's preference of the hack he had brought over sea, and Walter of Aquitaine's predilection for his worn-out charger. See, further on, 'Hugh Spencer's Feats in France.'
There is a Lord Phenix in a sufficiently absurd ballad in Motherwell's MS., 'Jamie o Lee,' p. 654; an English nobleman who steals the Queen of Scotland's jewels and lays the blame on Jamie o Lee, a page of fifteen years, being himself, for rhyme's sake, thretty three. The page worsts his accuser in a duel and makes him confess.
Mr Macmath notes for me that Swift, in The Tale of a Tub (written about 1696), having associated Dryden's Hind and Panther with Tom Thumb, Whittington and his Cat, and other "prime productions of our society," adduces Tommy Potts as "another piece, supposed by the same hand, by way of supplement to the former:" Scott's edition, XI, 72.
The message to Strawberry Castle occurs also in No 65,D,E,F, and No 87C.
Bis translated by Bothe, p. 315.
Percy MS., p. 409; Hales and Furnivall, III, 135.
Percy MS., p. 409; Hales and Furnivall, III, 135.
1All you lords of Scottland ffaire,And ladyes alsoe, bright of blee,There is a ladye amongst them all,Of her report you shall heare of me.2Of her bewtye shee is soe bright,And of her colour soe bright of blee;Shee is daughter to the Lord Arrndell,His heyre apparrant ffor to bee.3'I'le seethat bryde,' LordPhenix sayes,'That is a ladye of hye degree,And iff I like her countenance well,The heyre of all my land shee'st bee.'4Tothat ladye ffayre Lord Phenix came,And tothat like-some dame said hee,Now God thee saue, my ladye ffaire,The heyre of all my land tho'st bee.5'Leaue of your suite,' the ladye sayd;'You are a lord of honor ffree;You may gett ladyes enowe att home,And I haue a loue in mine owne countrye.6'I haue a louer true of mine owne,A servinge-man of a small degree;Thomas a Pott, itt is his name,He is the ffirst louethat euer I had, and the lastthat hee shalbee.'7'Giue Thomas a Pott then be his name,I wott I ken him soe readilye;I can spend forty pounds by weeke,And hee cannott spend pounds three.'8'God giue you good of your gold,' said the ladye,'And alsoe,sir, of your ffee!Hee was the ffirst louethat euer I had,And the last, sir, shall hee bee.'9Withthat Lord Phenix was sore amoued;Vnto her ffather then went hee;Hee told her ffather how itt was proued,Howthat his daughter's mind was sett.10'Thou art my daughter,' the Erle of Arrndell said,'The heyre of all my land to bee;Thou 'st be bryde to the Lord Phenix,Daughter, giue thou'le be heyre to mee.'11For lacke of her loue this ladye must lose,Her foolish wooing lay all aside;The day is appoynted, and ffreinds are agreede;Shee is fforcte to be the LordPhenix bryde.12Withthat the lady began to muse—A greeued woman, God wott, was shee—How shee might LordPhenix beguile,And scape vnmarryed ffrom himthat day.13Shee called to her her litle ffoote-page,To Iacke her boy, soe tenderlye;Sayes, Come thou hither, thou litle ffoote-page,For indeed I dare trust none but thee.14To Strawberry Castle, boy, thou must goe,To Thomas Pott there as hee can bee,And giue him here this letter ffaire,And on Guilford Greene bidd him meete me.15Looke thou marke his contenance well,And his colour tell to mee;And hye thee ffast, and come againe,And forty shillings I will giue thee.16For if he blush in his fface,Then in his hart hee'se sorry bee;Then lett my ffather say what hee will,For false to Potts I'le neuer bee.17And giue hee smile then with his mouth,Then in his heart hee'le merry be;Then may hee gett him a loue where-euer he can,For small of his companye my part shalbe.18Then one whilethat the boy hee went,Another while, God wott, rann hee,And when hee came to Strawberry Castle,There Thomas Potts hee see.19Then he gaue him this letter ffaire,And when he began then for to reade,They boy had told him by word of mouthHis loue must be the Lord Phenix bryde.20Withthat, Thomas a Pott began to blushe,The teares trickeled in his eye:'Indeed this letter I cannot reede,Nor neuer a word to see or spye.21'I pray thee, boy, to me thou'le be trew,And heer 's fiue marke I will giue thee;And all these words thou must peruse,And tell thy lady this ffrom mee.22'Tell her by ffaith and troth shee is mine owne,By some part of promise, and soe itt's be found;LordPhenix shall neuermarry her, by night nor day,Without he can winn her with his hand.23'On Gilford Greene I will her meete,And biddthat ladye ffor mee pray;For there I'le loose my liffe soe sweete,Or else the wedding I will stay.'24Then backe againe the boy he went,As ffast againe as he cold hye;The ladye mett him fiue mile on the way:'Why hast thou stayd soe long?' saies shee.25'Boy,' said the ladye, 'thou art but younge;To please my mind thou 'le mocke and scorne;I will not beleeue thee on word of mouth,Vnlesse on this booke thou wilt be sworne.'26'Marry, by this booke,' the boy can say,'As Christ himselfe be true to mee,ThomasPott cold not his letter readeFor teares trickling in his eye.'27'If this be true,' the ladye sayd,'Thou bonny boy, thou tells to mee,Forty shillings I did thee promise,But heere's ten pounds I'le giue itt thee.28'All my maids,' the lady sayd,'That this day doe waite on mee,Wee will ffall downe vpon our knees,For ThomasPott now pray will wee.29'If his ffortune be now ffor to winn—Wee will pray to Christ in Trinytye—I'le make him the fflower of all his kinn,Ffor they Lordof Arrundale he shalbe.'30Now lett vs leaue talking of this ladye faire,In her prayer good where shee can bee;And I'le tell you hou ThomasPottFor ayd to his lordand mastercame hee.31And when hee came LordIockye before,He kneeled him low downe on his knee;Saies, Thou art welcome, ThomasPott,Thou art allwayes full of thy curtesye.32Has thou slaine any of thy ffellowes,Or hast thou wrought me some villanye?'Sir, none of my ffellowes I haue slaine,Nor I haue wrought you noe villanye.33'But I haue a loue in Scottland ffaire,I doubt I must lose her through pouertye;If you will not beleeue me by word of mouth,Behold the letter shee writt vnto mee.'34When LordIockye looked the letter vpon,The tender words in itt cold bee,'ThomasPott, take thou no care,Thou 'st neuer loose her throughe pouertye.35'Thou shalt have forty pounds a weeke,In gold and siluer thou shalt rowe,And Harbye towne I will thee alloweAs longe as thou dost meane to wooe.36'Thou shalt haue fortye of thy ffellowes ffaire,And forty horsse to goe with thee,And forty speares of the best I haue,And I my-selfe in thy companye.'37'I thanke you, master,' sayd ThomasPott,'Neither man nor boy shall goe with mee;I wold not ffor a thousand poundsTake one man in my companye.'38'Why then, God be with thee, ThomasPott!Thou art well knowen and proued for a man;Looke thou shedd no guiltlesse bloode,Nor neuer confound no gentlman.39'But looke thou take with him some truce,Apoint a place of lybertye;Lett him provide as well as hee cann,And as well provided thou shalt bee.'40And when ThomasPott came to Gilford Greene,And walked there a litle beside,Then was hee ware of the LordPhenix,And with him Ladye Rozamund his bryde.41Away by the bryde rode Thomasof Pott,But noe word to herthat he did say;But when he came LordPhenix before,He gaue him the right time of the day.42'O thou art welcome, Thomasa Potts,Thou serving-man, welcome to mee!How ffares they lordand masteratt home,And all the ladyes in thy cuntrye?'43'Sir, my lordand my masteris in verry good health,I wott I ken itt soe readylye;I pray you, will you ryde to one outsyde,A word or towe to talke with mee.44'You are a nobleman,' sayd Thomasa Potts,'Yee are a borne lordin Scottland ffree;You may gett ladyes enowe att home;You shall neuer take my loue ffrom mee.'45'Away, away, thou Thomasa Potts!Thou seruing-man, stand thou a-side!I wott there's not a serving-man this day,I know, can hinder mee of my bryde.'46'If I be but a seruing-man,' sayd Thomas,'And you are a lord of honor ffree,A speare or two I'le with you runn,Before I'le loose her thus cowardlye.'47'On Gilford Greene,' LordPhenixsaies, 'I'le thee meete;Neither man nor boy shall come hither with mee;''And as I am a man,' said Thomasa Pott,'I'le haue as ffew in my companye.'48Withthatthe wedding-day was stayd,The bryde went vnmarryed home againe;Then to her maydens ffast shee loughe,And in her hart shee was ffull ffaine.49'But all my mayds,' they ladye sayd,'Thatthis day doe waite on mee,Wee will ffall downe againe vpon our knees,For Thomasa Potts now pray will wee.50'If his ffortune be ffor to winn—Wee'le pray to Christ in Trynitye—I'le make him the fflower of all his kinn,For the Lordof Arrundale he shalbe.'51Now let vs leaue talking of this lady fayre,In her prayers good where shee can bee;I'le tell you the troth how Thomasa PottsFor aide to his lord againe came hee.52And when he came to Strawberry Castle,To try ffor his ladye he had but one weeke;Alacke, ffor sorrow hee cannott fforbeare,For four dayes then he ffell sicke.53Withthat his lordand masterto him came,Sayes, I pray thee, Thomas, tell mee without all doubt,Whether hast thou gotten the bonny ladye,Or thou man gange the ladye withoute.54'Marry, master, yettthat matter is vntryde;Within two dayes tryed itt must bee;He is a lord, and I am but a seruing-man,I doubt I must loose her through pouertye.''Why, Thomasa Pott, take thou no care;Thou'st neuer loose her through pouertye.55'Thou shalt haue halfe my land a yeere,Andthat will raise thee many a pound;Before thou shalt loose thy bonny ladye,Thou shalt drop angells with him to the ground.56'And thou shalt haue forty of thy ffellowes ffaire,And forty horsses to goe with thee,And forty speres of the best I haue,And I my-selfe in thy companye.'57'I thanke you, master,' sayd Thomasa Potts,'But of one thinge, sir, I wold be ffaine;If I shold loose my bonny ladye,How shall I increase your goods againe?'58'Why, if thou winn thy lady ffaire,Thou maye well fforth for to pay mee;If thou loose thy lady, thou hast losse enoughe;Not one penny I will aske thee.'59'Master, you haue thirty horsses in one hold,You keepe them ranke and royallye;There's an old horsse,—for him you doe not care—This day wold sett my lady ffree.60'That is a white, with a cutt tayle,Ffull sixteen yeeres of age is hee;Giffe you wold lend methat old horsse,Then I shold gett her easilye.'61'Thou takes a ffoolish part,' the LordIockye sayd'And a ffoolish part thou takes on thee;Thou shalt haue a better then euer he was,That forty pounds cost more nor hee.'62'O master, those horsses beene wild and wicked,And litle they can skill of the old traine;Giffe I be out of my saddle cast,They beene soe wild they'le neuer be tane againe.63'Lett me haue age, sober and wise;Itt is a part of wisdome, you know itt plaine;If I be out of my sadle cast,Hee'le either stand still or turne againe.'64'Thou shalt hauethat horsse with all my hart,And my cote-plate of siluer ffree,And a hundred men att thy backe,For to fight if neede shalbee.'65'I thanke you, master,' said Thomasa Potts,'Neither man nor boy shall goe with mee;As you are a lord off honor borne,Let none of my ffellowes know this of mee.66'Ffor if they wott of my goinge,I wott behind me they will not bee;Without you keepe them vnder a locke,Vpponthat greene I shall them see.'67And when Thomascame to Gilford Greene,And walked there some houres three,Then was he ware of the LordPhenix,And four men in his companye.68'You haue broken your vow,' sayd Thomasa Pott,'Your vowethat you made vnto mee;You said you wold come your selfe alone,And you haue brought more then two or three.'69'These are my waiting-men,' LordPhenix sayd,'That euery day doe waite on mee;Giffe any of these shold att vs stirr,My speare shold runn throwe his bodye.'70'I'le runn noe race,' said ThomasPotts,'Tillthat this othe heere made may bee:If the one of vs be slaine,The other fforgiuenthat hee may bee.'71'I'le make a vow,' LordPhenix sayes,'My men shall beare wittnesse with thee,Giffe thou slay mee att this time,Neuer the worsse beloued in Scottland thou shalt bee.'72Then they turned their horsses round about,To run the race more egarlye;LordPhenix he was stiffe and stout,He has runn Thomasquite thorrow the thye.73And beere Thomasout of his saddle ffaire;Vpon the ground there did hee lye;He saies, For my liffe I doe not care,But ffor the loue of my ladye.74But shall I lose my ladye ffaire?I thought shee shold haue beene my wiffe;I pray thee, LordPhenix, ryde not away,For with thee I will loose my liffe.75Tho Thomasa Potts was a seruing-man,He was alsoe a phisityan good;He clapt his hand vpon his wound,With some kind of words he stauncht the blood.76Then into his sadle againe hee leepe;The blood in his body began to warme;He mist LordPhenix bodye there,But he run him quite throw the brawne of the arme.77And he bore him quite out of his saddle ffaire;Vpon the ground there did he lye;He said, I pray thee, LordPhenix, rise and ffight,Or else yeeld this ladye sweete to mee.78'To ffight with thee,' quoth Phenix, 'I cannott stand,Nor ffor to ffight, I cannott, sure;Thou hast run me through the brawne of the arme;Noe longer of thy spere I cannott endure.79'Thou'st hauethat ladye with all my hart,Sith itt was like neuer better to proue.Nor neuer a noble-man this day,That will seeke to take a pore man's loue.'80'Why then, be of good cheere,' saies ThomasPott,'Indeed your bucher I'le neuer bee,For I'le come and stanche your bloode,Giff any thankes you'le giue to mee.'81As he was stanching the Phenix blood,These words Thomasa Pott cann to him proue:'I'le neuer take a ladye of you thus,But here I'le giue you another choice.82'Heere is a lane of two miles longe;Att either end sett wee will bee;The ladye shall sitt vs betweene,And soe will wee sett this ladye ffree.'83'If thou'le doe soe,' LordPhenix sayes,'Thomasa Pott, as thou dost tell mee,Whether I gett her or goe without her,Heere's forty pounds I'le giue itt thee.'84And when the ladye there can stand,A woman's mind that day to proue,'Now, by my ffaith,' said this ladye ffaire,'This day Thomasa Pott shall haue his owne loue.'85Toward Thomasa Pott the lady shee went,To leape behind him hastilye;'Nay, abyde a while,' sayd LordPhenix,'Ffor better yett proued thou shalt bee.86'Thou shalt stay heere with all thy maids—In number with thee thou hast but three—Thomasa Pott and I'le goe beyond yonder wall,There the one of vs shall dye.'87And when they came beyond the wall,The one wold not the other nye;LordPhenix he had giuen his wordWith Thomasa Pott neuer to ffight.88'Giue me a choice,' LordPhenix sayes,'Thomasa Pott, I doe pray thee;Lett mee goe to yonder ladye ffaire,To see whether shee be true to thee.'89And when hee camethat ladye too,Vnto that likesome dame sayd hee,Now God thee saue, thou ladye ffaire,The heyre of all my land thou'st bee.90Ffor this Thomasa Potts I haue slaine;He hath more then deadlye wounds two or three;Thou art mine owne ladye, he sayd,And marryed together wee will bee.91The ladye said, If Thomasa Potts this day thou haue slaine,Thou hast slaine a better man than euerwas thee;And I'le sell all the state of my landeBut thou'st be hanged on a gallow-tree.92Withthat they lady shee ffell in a soone;A greeued woman, I wott, was shee;LordPhenix hee was readye there,Tooke her in his armes most hastilye.93'O Lord, sweete, and stand on thy ffeete,This day Thomasa Pott aliue can bee;I'le send ffor thy father, the Lordof Arrundale,And marryed together I will you see:Giffe hee will not maintaine you well,Both gold and land you shall haue from me.'94'I'le seethat wedding,' my Lordof Arrundale said,'Of my daughter's louethat is soe ffaire;And sith itt will no better be,Of all my land Thomasa Pott shall be my heyre.'95'Now all my maids,' the ladye said,'And ladyes of England, faire and ffree,Looke you neuer change yourold loue for no new,Nor neuer change for no pouertye.96'Ffor I had a louer true of mine owne,A seruing-man of a small degree;Ffrom Thomasa Pott I'le turne his name,And the Lordof Arrundale hee shall bee.'
1All you lords of Scottland ffaire,And ladyes alsoe, bright of blee,There is a ladye amongst them all,Of her report you shall heare of me.
2Of her bewtye shee is soe bright,And of her colour soe bright of blee;Shee is daughter to the Lord Arrndell,His heyre apparrant ffor to bee.
3'I'le seethat bryde,' LordPhenix sayes,'That is a ladye of hye degree,And iff I like her countenance well,The heyre of all my land shee'st bee.'
4Tothat ladye ffayre Lord Phenix came,And tothat like-some dame said hee,Now God thee saue, my ladye ffaire,The heyre of all my land tho'st bee.
5'Leaue of your suite,' the ladye sayd;'You are a lord of honor ffree;You may gett ladyes enowe att home,And I haue a loue in mine owne countrye.
6'I haue a louer true of mine owne,A servinge-man of a small degree;Thomas a Pott, itt is his name,He is the ffirst louethat euer I had, and the lastthat hee shalbee.'
7'Giue Thomas a Pott then be his name,I wott I ken him soe readilye;I can spend forty pounds by weeke,And hee cannott spend pounds three.'
8'God giue you good of your gold,' said the ladye,'And alsoe,sir, of your ffee!Hee was the ffirst louethat euer I had,And the last, sir, shall hee bee.'
9Withthat Lord Phenix was sore amoued;Vnto her ffather then went hee;Hee told her ffather how itt was proued,Howthat his daughter's mind was sett.
10'Thou art my daughter,' the Erle of Arrndell said,'The heyre of all my land to bee;Thou 'st be bryde to the Lord Phenix,Daughter, giue thou'le be heyre to mee.'
11For lacke of her loue this ladye must lose,Her foolish wooing lay all aside;The day is appoynted, and ffreinds are agreede;Shee is fforcte to be the LordPhenix bryde.
12Withthat the lady began to muse—A greeued woman, God wott, was shee—How shee might LordPhenix beguile,And scape vnmarryed ffrom himthat day.
13Shee called to her her litle ffoote-page,To Iacke her boy, soe tenderlye;Sayes, Come thou hither, thou litle ffoote-page,For indeed I dare trust none but thee.
14To Strawberry Castle, boy, thou must goe,To Thomas Pott there as hee can bee,And giue him here this letter ffaire,And on Guilford Greene bidd him meete me.
15Looke thou marke his contenance well,And his colour tell to mee;And hye thee ffast, and come againe,And forty shillings I will giue thee.
16For if he blush in his fface,Then in his hart hee'se sorry bee;Then lett my ffather say what hee will,For false to Potts I'le neuer bee.
17And giue hee smile then with his mouth,Then in his heart hee'le merry be;Then may hee gett him a loue where-euer he can,For small of his companye my part shalbe.
18Then one whilethat the boy hee went,Another while, God wott, rann hee,And when hee came to Strawberry Castle,There Thomas Potts hee see.
19Then he gaue him this letter ffaire,And when he began then for to reade,They boy had told him by word of mouthHis loue must be the Lord Phenix bryde.
20Withthat, Thomas a Pott began to blushe,The teares trickeled in his eye:'Indeed this letter I cannot reede,Nor neuer a word to see or spye.
21'I pray thee, boy, to me thou'le be trew,And heer 's fiue marke I will giue thee;And all these words thou must peruse,And tell thy lady this ffrom mee.
22'Tell her by ffaith and troth shee is mine owne,By some part of promise, and soe itt's be found;LordPhenix shall neuermarry her, by night nor day,Without he can winn her with his hand.
23'On Gilford Greene I will her meete,And biddthat ladye ffor mee pray;For there I'le loose my liffe soe sweete,Or else the wedding I will stay.'
24Then backe againe the boy he went,As ffast againe as he cold hye;The ladye mett him fiue mile on the way:'Why hast thou stayd soe long?' saies shee.
25'Boy,' said the ladye, 'thou art but younge;To please my mind thou 'le mocke and scorne;I will not beleeue thee on word of mouth,Vnlesse on this booke thou wilt be sworne.'
26'Marry, by this booke,' the boy can say,'As Christ himselfe be true to mee,ThomasPott cold not his letter readeFor teares trickling in his eye.'
27'If this be true,' the ladye sayd,'Thou bonny boy, thou tells to mee,Forty shillings I did thee promise,But heere's ten pounds I'le giue itt thee.
28'All my maids,' the lady sayd,'That this day doe waite on mee,Wee will ffall downe vpon our knees,For ThomasPott now pray will wee.
29'If his ffortune be now ffor to winn—Wee will pray to Christ in Trinytye—I'le make him the fflower of all his kinn,Ffor they Lordof Arrundale he shalbe.'
30Now lett vs leaue talking of this ladye faire,In her prayer good where shee can bee;And I'le tell you hou ThomasPottFor ayd to his lordand mastercame hee.
31And when hee came LordIockye before,He kneeled him low downe on his knee;Saies, Thou art welcome, ThomasPott,Thou art allwayes full of thy curtesye.
32Has thou slaine any of thy ffellowes,Or hast thou wrought me some villanye?'Sir, none of my ffellowes I haue slaine,Nor I haue wrought you noe villanye.
33'But I haue a loue in Scottland ffaire,I doubt I must lose her through pouertye;If you will not beleeue me by word of mouth,Behold the letter shee writt vnto mee.'
34When LordIockye looked the letter vpon,The tender words in itt cold bee,'ThomasPott, take thou no care,Thou 'st neuer loose her throughe pouertye.
35'Thou shalt have forty pounds a weeke,In gold and siluer thou shalt rowe,And Harbye towne I will thee alloweAs longe as thou dost meane to wooe.
36'Thou shalt haue fortye of thy ffellowes ffaire,And forty horsse to goe with thee,And forty speares of the best I haue,And I my-selfe in thy companye.'
37'I thanke you, master,' sayd ThomasPott,'Neither man nor boy shall goe with mee;I wold not ffor a thousand poundsTake one man in my companye.'
38'Why then, God be with thee, ThomasPott!Thou art well knowen and proued for a man;Looke thou shedd no guiltlesse bloode,Nor neuer confound no gentlman.
39'But looke thou take with him some truce,Apoint a place of lybertye;Lett him provide as well as hee cann,And as well provided thou shalt bee.'
40And when ThomasPott came to Gilford Greene,And walked there a litle beside,Then was hee ware of the LordPhenix,And with him Ladye Rozamund his bryde.
41Away by the bryde rode Thomasof Pott,But noe word to herthat he did say;But when he came LordPhenix before,He gaue him the right time of the day.
42'O thou art welcome, Thomasa Potts,Thou serving-man, welcome to mee!How ffares they lordand masteratt home,And all the ladyes in thy cuntrye?'
43'Sir, my lordand my masteris in verry good health,I wott I ken itt soe readylye;I pray you, will you ryde to one outsyde,A word or towe to talke with mee.
44'You are a nobleman,' sayd Thomasa Potts,'Yee are a borne lordin Scottland ffree;You may gett ladyes enowe att home;You shall neuer take my loue ffrom mee.'
45'Away, away, thou Thomasa Potts!Thou seruing-man, stand thou a-side!I wott there's not a serving-man this day,I know, can hinder mee of my bryde.'
46'If I be but a seruing-man,' sayd Thomas,'And you are a lord of honor ffree,A speare or two I'le with you runn,Before I'le loose her thus cowardlye.'
47'On Gilford Greene,' LordPhenixsaies, 'I'le thee meete;Neither man nor boy shall come hither with mee;''And as I am a man,' said Thomasa Pott,'I'le haue as ffew in my companye.'
48Withthatthe wedding-day was stayd,The bryde went vnmarryed home againe;Then to her maydens ffast shee loughe,And in her hart shee was ffull ffaine.
49'But all my mayds,' they ladye sayd,'Thatthis day doe waite on mee,Wee will ffall downe againe vpon our knees,For Thomasa Potts now pray will wee.
50'If his ffortune be ffor to winn—Wee'le pray to Christ in Trynitye—I'le make him the fflower of all his kinn,For the Lordof Arrundale he shalbe.'
51Now let vs leaue talking of this lady fayre,In her prayers good where shee can bee;I'le tell you the troth how Thomasa PottsFor aide to his lord againe came hee.
52And when he came to Strawberry Castle,To try ffor his ladye he had but one weeke;Alacke, ffor sorrow hee cannott fforbeare,For four dayes then he ffell sicke.
53Withthat his lordand masterto him came,Sayes, I pray thee, Thomas, tell mee without all doubt,Whether hast thou gotten the bonny ladye,Or thou man gange the ladye withoute.
54'Marry, master, yettthat matter is vntryde;Within two dayes tryed itt must bee;He is a lord, and I am but a seruing-man,I doubt I must loose her through pouertye.''Why, Thomasa Pott, take thou no care;Thou'st neuer loose her through pouertye.
55'Thou shalt haue halfe my land a yeere,Andthat will raise thee many a pound;Before thou shalt loose thy bonny ladye,Thou shalt drop angells with him to the ground.
56'And thou shalt haue forty of thy ffellowes ffaire,And forty horsses to goe with thee,And forty speres of the best I haue,And I my-selfe in thy companye.'
57'I thanke you, master,' sayd Thomasa Potts,'But of one thinge, sir, I wold be ffaine;If I shold loose my bonny ladye,How shall I increase your goods againe?'
58'Why, if thou winn thy lady ffaire,Thou maye well fforth for to pay mee;If thou loose thy lady, thou hast losse enoughe;Not one penny I will aske thee.'
59'Master, you haue thirty horsses in one hold,You keepe them ranke and royallye;There's an old horsse,—for him you doe not care—This day wold sett my lady ffree.
60'That is a white, with a cutt tayle,Ffull sixteen yeeres of age is hee;Giffe you wold lend methat old horsse,Then I shold gett her easilye.'
61'Thou takes a ffoolish part,' the LordIockye sayd'And a ffoolish part thou takes on thee;Thou shalt haue a better then euer he was,That forty pounds cost more nor hee.'
62'O master, those horsses beene wild and wicked,And litle they can skill of the old traine;Giffe I be out of my saddle cast,They beene soe wild they'le neuer be tane againe.
63'Lett me haue age, sober and wise;Itt is a part of wisdome, you know itt plaine;If I be out of my sadle cast,Hee'le either stand still or turne againe.'
64'Thou shalt hauethat horsse with all my hart,And my cote-plate of siluer ffree,And a hundred men att thy backe,For to fight if neede shalbee.'
65'I thanke you, master,' said Thomasa Potts,'Neither man nor boy shall goe with mee;As you are a lord off honor borne,Let none of my ffellowes know this of mee.
66'Ffor if they wott of my goinge,I wott behind me they will not bee;Without you keepe them vnder a locke,Vpponthat greene I shall them see.'
67And when Thomascame to Gilford Greene,And walked there some houres three,Then was he ware of the LordPhenix,And four men in his companye.
68'You haue broken your vow,' sayd Thomasa Pott,'Your vowethat you made vnto mee;You said you wold come your selfe alone,And you haue brought more then two or three.'
69'These are my waiting-men,' LordPhenix sayd,'That euery day doe waite on mee;Giffe any of these shold att vs stirr,My speare shold runn throwe his bodye.'
70'I'le runn noe race,' said ThomasPotts,'Tillthat this othe heere made may bee:If the one of vs be slaine,The other fforgiuenthat hee may bee.'
71'I'le make a vow,' LordPhenix sayes,'My men shall beare wittnesse with thee,Giffe thou slay mee att this time,Neuer the worsse beloued in Scottland thou shalt bee.'
72Then they turned their horsses round about,To run the race more egarlye;LordPhenix he was stiffe and stout,He has runn Thomasquite thorrow the thye.
73And beere Thomasout of his saddle ffaire;Vpon the ground there did hee lye;He saies, For my liffe I doe not care,But ffor the loue of my ladye.
74But shall I lose my ladye ffaire?I thought shee shold haue beene my wiffe;I pray thee, LordPhenix, ryde not away,For with thee I will loose my liffe.
75Tho Thomasa Potts was a seruing-man,He was alsoe a phisityan good;He clapt his hand vpon his wound,With some kind of words he stauncht the blood.
76Then into his sadle againe hee leepe;The blood in his body began to warme;He mist LordPhenix bodye there,But he run him quite throw the brawne of the arme.
77And he bore him quite out of his saddle ffaire;Vpon the ground there did he lye;He said, I pray thee, LordPhenix, rise and ffight,Or else yeeld this ladye sweete to mee.
78'To ffight with thee,' quoth Phenix, 'I cannott stand,Nor ffor to ffight, I cannott, sure;Thou hast run me through the brawne of the arme;Noe longer of thy spere I cannott endure.
79'Thou'st hauethat ladye with all my hart,Sith itt was like neuer better to proue.Nor neuer a noble-man this day,That will seeke to take a pore man's loue.'
80'Why then, be of good cheere,' saies ThomasPott,'Indeed your bucher I'le neuer bee,For I'le come and stanche your bloode,Giff any thankes you'le giue to mee.'
81As he was stanching the Phenix blood,These words Thomasa Pott cann to him proue:'I'le neuer take a ladye of you thus,But here I'le giue you another choice.
82'Heere is a lane of two miles longe;Att either end sett wee will bee;The ladye shall sitt vs betweene,And soe will wee sett this ladye ffree.'
83'If thou'le doe soe,' LordPhenix sayes,'Thomasa Pott, as thou dost tell mee,Whether I gett her or goe without her,Heere's forty pounds I'le giue itt thee.'
84And when the ladye there can stand,A woman's mind that day to proue,'Now, by my ffaith,' said this ladye ffaire,'This day Thomasa Pott shall haue his owne loue.'
85Toward Thomasa Pott the lady shee went,To leape behind him hastilye;'Nay, abyde a while,' sayd LordPhenix,'Ffor better yett proued thou shalt bee.
86'Thou shalt stay heere with all thy maids—In number with thee thou hast but three—Thomasa Pott and I'le goe beyond yonder wall,There the one of vs shall dye.'
87And when they came beyond the wall,The one wold not the other nye;LordPhenix he had giuen his wordWith Thomasa Pott neuer to ffight.
88'Giue me a choice,' LordPhenix sayes,'Thomasa Pott, I doe pray thee;Lett mee goe to yonder ladye ffaire,To see whether shee be true to thee.'
89And when hee camethat ladye too,Vnto that likesome dame sayd hee,Now God thee saue, thou ladye ffaire,The heyre of all my land thou'st bee.
90Ffor this Thomasa Potts I haue slaine;He hath more then deadlye wounds two or three;Thou art mine owne ladye, he sayd,And marryed together wee will bee.
91The ladye said, If Thomasa Potts this day thou haue slaine,Thou hast slaine a better man than euerwas thee;And I'le sell all the state of my landeBut thou'st be hanged on a gallow-tree.
92Withthat they lady shee ffell in a soone;A greeued woman, I wott, was shee;LordPhenix hee was readye there,Tooke her in his armes most hastilye.
93'O Lord, sweete, and stand on thy ffeete,This day Thomasa Pott aliue can bee;I'le send ffor thy father, the Lordof Arrundale,And marryed together I will you see:Giffe hee will not maintaine you well,Both gold and land you shall haue from me.'
94'I'le seethat wedding,' my Lordof Arrundale said,'Of my daughter's louethat is soe ffaire;And sith itt will no better be,Of all my land Thomasa Pott shall be my heyre.'
95'Now all my maids,' the ladye said,'And ladyes of England, faire and ffree,Looke you neuer change yourold loue for no new,Nor neuer change for no pouertye.
96'Ffor I had a louer true of mine owne,A seruing-man of a small degree;Ffrom Thomasa Pott I'le turne his name,And the Lordof Arrundale hee shall bee.'