Page:Beautiful old song of The babes in the wood.pdf/5

 He bargained with twa ruffians strong,

which were of furious mood,

That they should take these children young

and slay them in a wood:

He told his wife an artful tale,

he would the children send

To be brought up in fair London,

with one that was his friend.

Away then went these pretty babes,

rejoicing at that tide,

Rejoicing wiih a merry mind,

they should on horse-back ride.

They prate and prattle pleasantly,

as they rode on the way,

To those who should there butchers ba

and work their lives decay.

To that the pretty speech they had,

made murderers heart relent;

And they that undertook the deed,

full fore now do repent,

Yet one of them more hard of heart,

did vow to do his charge,

Because the wretch that hired him,

had paid him very large.