38 'One spear, master, and no more,
No more with me that I will take,
And if that spear it will not serve my turn,
I'le suffer death for my true-love's sake.'
39 Early in the morning, when day did spring,
On Gilforth Green betime was he;
There did he espie Lord Fenix comming,
And with him a royall company.
40 Gold chains about their necks threescore,
Full well might seem fine lords to ride;
The young lady followed far behind,
Sore against her will that she was a bride.
41 There Tomey passed this lady by,
But never a word to her did say;
Then straight to Lord Fenix he is gone,
And gives him the right time of the day.
42 'O Christ you save, Lord Fenix,' he said,
'And Christ you save as I you see;'
'Thou art welcome, Tomey o'th Potts,' he said,
'A serving-man into our company.
43 'O how doth thy master, Tomy o'th Potts?
Tell me the truth and do not lye;'
'My master is well,' then Tomey replide,
'I thank my lord, and I thank not thee.
44 'O Christ you save Lord Fenix,' he said,
'And Christ you save as I you see;
You may have choyce of ladies enough,
And not take my true-love from me.'
45 With that Lord Fenix was sore offended,
And fast away he rode at that tide;
'God forbid,' Lord Fenix he said,
'A serving-man should hold me from my bride!'
46 But afterward Tomey did him meet,
As one that came not thither to flye,
And said, Lord Fenix, take thou my love,
For I will not lose her cowardly.
47 'O meet me here tomorrow,' he said;
'As thou art a man, come but thy sell;
And if that I come [with] any more,
The divell fetch my soul to hell.'