"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: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 horse255
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];270
Why that horse is better than any other,
I pray thee, Tom Pots, shew thou to me."