95 'O give me this choice,' Lord Phenix said,
'To prove whether true or false she be,
And I will go to the lady fair,
And tell her Tom Pots slain is he.'
96 When he came from behind the wall,
With his face all bloody as it might be,
'O lady sweet, thou art my own,
For Tom Pots slain have I.
97 'Now have I slain him, Tommy Pots,
And given him death's wounds two or three;
O lady sweet, thou art my own;
Of all loves, wilt thou live with me?'
98 'If thou hast slain him, Tommy Pots,
And given him death's wounds two or three,
I'le sell the state of my father's lands
But hanged shall Lord Phenix be.'
99 With that the lady fell in a swound,
For a grieved woman, God wot, was she;
Lord Phenix he was ready then
To take her up so hastily.
100 'O lady sweet, stand thou on thy feet,
Tom Pots alive this day may be;
I'le send for thy father, Lord Arundel,
And he and I the wedding will see.
101 'I'le send for thy father, Lord Arundel,
And he and I the wedding will see;
If he will not maintain you well,
Both lands and livings you'st have of me.'
102 'I'le see this wedding,' Lord Arundel said,
'Of my daughter's luck that is so fair;
Seeing the matter will be no better,
Of all my lands Tom Pots shall be the heir.'
103 With that the lady began for to smile,
For a glad woman, God wot, was she;
'Now all my maids,' the lady said,
'Example you may take by me.
104 'But all the ladies of Scotland fair,
And lasses of England that well would prove,
Neither marry for gold nor goods,
Nor marry for nothing but only love.