Page:Beautiful old ballad, of the babes in the wood.pdf/5

 To take away these children young, and slay them in the wood;

Then gave it out, both far and near, that he them both did send To town, for education there, to one who was their friend.

Away the little babes were sent, rejoicing at the tide; Which gave them both no small content, on horseback for to ride:

They prate and prattle pleasantly, as they ride on the way, To those who should their butchers be, and work their lives decay.

The pretty speeches which they said, made one rogue’s heart relent, For though he undertook the deed, he sorely did repent.

The other still more hard of heart, was not at all agriev'd And vow’d that he would do his part, for what he had receive'd

The other won't agree there, o, which caus’d no little strife: To fight they go right suddenly, about the children's life.