Page:Babes in the wood (2).pdf/3

 To be told down on marriage day,

no way to be control'd.

And if the children chanc'd to die,

'ere they to age ſhould come,

The uncle ſhould poſſeſs their wealth,

and ſo the will did run,

Now brother, ſaid the dying man,

look to my children dear,

Be kind unto my boy and girl,

no friends I elſe have here.

To God and you I recommend,

my children night and day,

For little ſpace before we have,

within this world to ſtay.

You muſt be father and mother too,

and uncle all in one,

God knows what will become of them,

when I am dead and gone.

O then beſpake the mother dear,

my brother kind quoth ſhe,

You are the man muſt bring my babes,

to wealth or miſery,

If you do keep them carefully,

then God will you reward,

If otherwiſe you ſtrive to do,

God will your deeds regard,

With lips as cold as any ſtone.

ſhe kiſs'd theſe children ſmall.

God bleſs you both my children dear,

and ſo the tears did fall.