"If that thou win the lady sweet, Thou mayst well forth thou shalt pay me: 250 If 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 horse 255 This 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, 265 And 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 wilt tell me;[L270] 270 Why 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, 275 He'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, 290 Except 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, 295 And 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."