18 'For on Gilforth Green I will her meet,
And if she love me, bid her for me pray;
And there I will lose my life so sweet,
Or else her wedding I will stay.'
19 He cald this boy unto accounts;
Think whether he loved this lady gay!
He gave him forty shilling for his message,
And all he had was but pounds three.
20 The boy took his leave of Tomey o'th Potts,
Fearing that he had staid too late;
The young lady did wait of his comming,
And met him five miles out of the gate.
21 'O boney boy, thou art not of age,
Therefore thou canst both mock and scorn;
I will not beleeve what my love hath said,
Unlesse thou on this book be sworn.'
22 'Now, in faith, gay lady, I will not lye,'
And kist the book full soon did he:
'One letter he could not read at that time,
If he should have been hangd at gallo-tree.
23 'He said in faith you are his own,
As all hereafter shall understand;
Lord Fenix shall not marry you by night or day,
Unlesse he winn you with his own hand.
24 'For on Gilforth Green he will you meet,
And if you love him, you must for him pray;
And there he will lose his life so sweet,
Or else your wedding he will stay.'
25 Let us leave talking of the boy,
That with his gay lady is turned home;
Now let us go talk of Tomey o'th Potts,
And how to his master he is gone.
26 When Tomey came his master before,
He kneeled down upon his knee:
'What tidings hast thou brought, my man,
As that thou makes such courtesie?'
27 'O Christ you save, dear master,' he said,
'And Christ you save as I you see;
For God's love, master, come read me this letter,
Which my true love hath sent to me.'