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 They ſpake and prattled pleaſantly,

as they rode on the way,

To them that ſhould their butchers be

and work their live's decay.

The ſpeech that these ſweet babes made,

caus'd their murd'rer hearts relent,

That they hae ta'en the deed in hand,

full ſore they did repeat.

But one of them was hard of heart,

and vow'd to do his charge.

Becauſe the wretch that hir'd them both,

had paid them very large.

So then into the foreſt thick,

theſe two men fell at ſtrife,

With one another they did fight,

about the children's life.

And he that was of mildeſt mood,

did kill the other there,

Within the unfrequented wood.

the babes did quack for fear.

He took the children by the hand,

and led them by the way,

Hold your tongue my children dear,

be ſure you do not cry.

Two miles he led them forth till they,

for bread did ſore complain.

Stay here, quoth be, I'll bring you bread,

when I come back again.

Then hand in hand theſe pretty babes,

went wandering up and down,