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!"