"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."