Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/451

"For I make Honour wi' muckle mouth,
⁠"As I make Shame wi' mincin' feet,
"To sing wi' the priests at the market-cross,
⁠"Or run wi' the dogs in the naked street.

"And some they give me the good red gold,
⁠"And some they give me the white money,
"And some they give me a clout o' meal,
⁠"For they be people of low degree.

"And the song I sing for the counted gold
⁠"The same I sing for the white money,
"But best I sing for the clout o' meal
⁠"That simple people given me."

The King cast down a silver groat,
⁠A silver groat o' Scots money,
"If I come wi' a poor man's dole," he said,
⁠"True Thomas, will ye harp to me?"

"Whenas I harp to the children small,
⁠"They press me close on either hand.
"And who are you," True Thomas said,
⁠"That you should ride while they must stand?

"Light down, light down from your horse o' pride,
⁠"I trow ye talk too loud and hie,
"And I will make you a triple word,
⁠"And syne, if ye dare, ye shall 'noble me."

He has lighted down from his horse o' pride,
⁠And set his back against the stone.
"Now guard you well," True Thomas said,
⁠"Ere I rax your heart from your breast-bone!"