{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch282.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch282.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch282.htm","text":"282A.1 As Jock the Leg and the merry merchant\nCame from yon borrow\u2019s town,\nThey took their budgets on their backs,\nAnd fieldert they were boun.\n282A.2 But they came to a tavern-house,\nWhere chapmen used to be:\n\u2018Provide, provide,\u2019 said Jock the Leg,\n\u2018A good supper for me.\n282A.3 \u2018For the merry merchant shall pay it a\u2019,\nTho it were good merks three;\u2019\n\u2018But never a penny,\u2019 said the merry merchant,\n\u2018But shot, as it fa\u2019s me.\n282A.4 \u2018A bed, a bed,\u2019 said the merry merchant,\n\u2018It\u2019s time to go to rest;\u2019\n\u2018And that ye shall,\u2019 said the good goodwife,\n\u2018And your covrings o the best.\u2019\n282A.5 Then Jock the Leg in one chamber was laid,\nThe merchant in another,\nAnd lockfast door atween them twa,\nThat the one might not see the other.\n282A.6 But the merchant was not well lain down,\nNor yet well fa\u2019en asleep,\nTill up it starts him Jock the Leg,\nJust at the merchant\u2019s feet.\n282A.7 \u2018Win up, win up,\u2019 said Jock the Leg,\n\u2018We might hae been miles three;\u2019\n\u2018But never a foot,\u2019 said the merry merchant,\n\u2018Till day that I do see.\n282A.8 \u2018For I cannot go by Barnisdale,\nNor yet by Coventry;\nFor Jock the Leg, that common thief,\nWould take my pack from me.\u2019\n282A.9 \u2018I\u2019ll hae you in by Barnisdale,\nAnd down by Coventry,\nAnd I\u2019ll guard you frae Jock the Leg\nTill day that ye do see.\u2019\n282A.10 When they were in by Barnisdale,\nAnd in by Coventry,\n\u2018Repeat, repeat,\u2019 said Jock the Leg,\n\u2018The words ye ance tauld me.\u2019\n282A.11 \u2018I never said aught behind your back\nBut what I\u2019ll say to thee;\nAre ye that robber, Jock the Leg,\nWill take my pack frae me?\u2019\n282A.12 \u2018O by my sooth,\u2019 said Jock the Leg,\n\u2018You\u2019ll find that man I be;\nSurrender that pack that\u2019s on your back,\nOr then be slain by me.\u2019\n282A.13 He\u2019s ta\u2019en his pack down frae his back,\nSet it below yon tree;\nSays, I will fight for my good pack\nTill day that I may see.\n282A.14 Then they fought there in good greenwood\nTill they were bloody men;\nThe robber on his knees did fall,\nSaid, Merchant, hold your hand.\n282A.15 \u2018An asking, asking,\u2019 said Jock the Leg,\n\u2018An asking ye\u2019ll grant me;\u2019\n\u2018Ask on, ask on,\u2019 said the merry merchant,\n\u2018For men to asking are free.\u2019\n282A.16 \u2018I\u2019ve dune little harm to you,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018More than you\u2019d been my brother;\nGive me a blast o my little wee horn,\nAnd I\u2019ll give you another.\u2019\n282A.17 \u2018A blast o your little wee horn,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018Of this I take no doubt;\nI hope you will take such a blast\nEre both your eyes fly out.\u2019\n282A.18 He set his horn to his mouth,\nAnd he blew loud and shrill,\nAnd four-and-twenty bauld bowmen\nCame Jock the Leg until.\n282A.19 \u2018Ohon, alas!\u2019 said the merry merchant,\n\u2018Alas! and woe is me!\nSae many, a party o common theifs,\nBut nane to party me!\n282A.20 \u2018Ye\u2019ll wile out six o your best bowmen,\nYourself the seventh to be,\nAnd, put me one foot frae my pack,\nMy pack ye shall have free.\u2019\n282A.21 He wiled six o his best bowmen,\nHimslef the seventh to be,\nBut [him] frae his pack they couldna get,\nFor all that they could dee.\n282A.22 He\u2019s taen his pack into one hand,\nHis broadsword in the other,\nAnd he slew five o the best bowmen,\nAnd the sixth he has dung over.\n282A.23 Then all the rest they gae a shout,\nAs they stood by the tree;\nSome said they would this merchant head,\nSome said they\u2019d let him be.\n282A.24 But Jock the Leg he then replied,\nTo this I\u2019ll not agree;\nHe is the boldest broadsword-man\nThat ever I fought wi.\n282A.25 \u2018If ye could wield the bow, the bow\nAs ye can do the brand,\nI would hae you to good greenwood,\nTo be my master\u2019s man.\u2019\n282A.26 \u2018Tho I could wield the bow, the bow\nAs I can do the brand,\nI would not gang to good greenwood,\nTo join a robber-band.\u2019\n282A.27 \u2018O give me some of your fine linen,\nTo cleathe my men and me,\nAnd ye\u2019se hae some of my dun deers\u2019 skins,\nBelow yon greenwood-tree.\u2019\n282A.28 \u2018Ye\u2019se hae nane o my fine linen,\nTo cleathe your men and thee,\nAnd I\u2019ll hae nane o your stown deers\u2019 skins,\nBelow yon greenwood-tree.\u2019\n282A.29 \u2018Ye\u2019ll take your pack upon your back,\nAnd travel by land or sea;\nIn brough or land, wherever we meet,\nGood billies we shall be.\u2019\n282A.30 \u2018I\u2019ll take my pack upon my back,\nAnd go by land or sea;\nIn brough or land, wherever we meet,\nA rank theif I\u2019ll call thee.\u2019","title":"The Child Ballads: 282. Jock the Leg and the Merry Merchant","type":"page"}