24 Then 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,
Thomas Pott cold not his letter reade
For 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 Thomas Pott 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 Lord of Arrundale he shalbe.'
30 Now lett vs leaue talking of this ladye faire,
In her prayer good where shee can bee;
And I'le tell you hou Thomas Pott
For ayd to his lord and master came hee.
31 And when hee came Lord Iockye before,
He kneeled him low downe on his knee;
Saies, Thou art welcome, Thomas Pott,
Thou art allwayes full of thy curtesye.
32 Has 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.'