Robin Hood and the Pedlar-Old Ballad

ROBIN HOOD AND THE PEDLAR

There chanced to be a pedlar bold,

A pedlar bold he chanced to be;

He rolled his pack all on his back,

And he came tripping o'er the lea.

By chance he met two troublesome blades,

Two troublesome blades they chanced to be;

The one of them was bold Robin Hood,

And the other was Little John, so free.

'Oh, pedlar, pedlar! What is in thy, pack,

Come speedilie and tell to me!',

'I've several suits of the gay green silk,

And silken bowstrings two or three.'

'You have several suits of the gay green silk,

And silken bowstrings two or three!

Then it's by my body,' cries Little John,

'One half of your pack shall belong to me.'

'Oh, nay! oh, nay!' says the pedlar bold,

'Oh, nay! oh, nay! that never can be;

For there's never a man from fair Nottingham

Can take one half of my pack from me!'

Then the pedlar he pulled off his pack,

And put it a little below his knee,

Saying, 'If you do move one perch from this,

My pack and all shall go with thee.'

The Little John he drew his sword;

The pedlar by his pack did stand;

They fought until both did sweat,

Till he cried 'Pedlar, pray hold your hand!

The Robin Hood he was standing by,

And he did laugh most heartilie,

Saying, 'I could find a man of smaller scale,

Could thrash the pedlar and also thee!'

'Go, 'you try, master!' says Little John,

'Go, you try, master most speedilie,

Or, by my body,' says Little John,

'I am sure this night you will not know me.

Then Robin Hood he drew his sword;

And the pedlar by his pack did stand;

They fought till the blood in streams did flow,

Till he cried, 'Pedlar, pray hold your hand!

'Pedlar, pedlar! What is thy name?

Come speedilie and tell to me.'

My name? My name I ne'er will tell,

Till both your names you have told to me.'

'The one of us is bold Robin Hood,

And the other is Little, John, so free.'

'Now,' says the pedlar, 'tis my good will,

Whether my name I will tell to thee.

'I am Gamble Gold of the gay green woods

And travelled far beyond the sea;

For killing a man in my father's land,

From my country was I forced to flee.'

'If you are Gamble Gold of the gay green woods,

And travelled far beyond the sea,

You are my mother's own sister's son;

What nearer cousins then can we be?'

They sheathed their swords with friendly words,

So merrilie they did agree;

They went to a tavern and there they dined,

And bottles cracked most merrilie.

OLD BALLAD

Summary: The ballad 'Robin Hood and the Pedlar' tells the story of a bold pedlar who encounters the notorious outlaw Robin Hood and his companion, Little John. The pedlar carries his pack on his back as he travels across the countryside. By chance, he meets the troublesome duo, Robin Hood and Little John.

Curious about the pedlar's pack, Robin Hood demands to know its contents. The pedlar reveals that he has several suits of green silk and a few silken bowstrings. Little John, eager to claim his share, declares that he will take half of the pedlar's pack.

However, the pedlar refuses, asserting that no one from Nottingham can take half of his pack from him. To demonstrate his resolve, he places his pack near his knee and warns that if anyone moves it, he will take it away entirely.

A confrontation ensues as Little John unsheathes his sword, and the pedlar stands his ground. They engage in a heated fight, sweating profusely. Eventually, the pedlar pleads with Little John to stop.

Amused by the situation, Robin Hood mocks both of them and suggests that someone smaller than the pedlar could defeat him. Little John challenges Robin Hood to try, but Robin Hood insists that he will not recognize him by the end of the night.

Taking up the challenge, Robin Hood draws his sword and confronts the pedlar. They fight vigorously until blood flows, at which point the pedlar begs Robin Hood to cease.

Curious about the pedlar's identity, Robin Hood asks him his name. The pedlar refuses to reveal it unless Robin Hood and Little John disclose their own names first. Robin Hood and Little John oblige, introducing themselves.

With that, the pedlar finally disclose his name as Gamble Gold, a fugitive who had to flee his homeland after killing someone. To his surprise, Robin Hood realizes that Gamble Gold is his mother's nephew, making them closer relatives.

With their true identities known, the swords are sheathed, and the men agree to a truce. They decide to celebrate their newfound kinship and head to a tavern, where they dine and enjoy themselves, toasting and reveling together.