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,85
Here 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;90
Lord 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,95
Or 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,