Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/140

 NICHOLAS BRETON?

And dost thou smile ? O, thy sweet face' Would God Himself He might thee see' No doubt thou wouldst soon purchase grace, I know right well, for thee and me-

But come to mother, babe, <md play, For father false is fled away.

Sweet boy, if it by fortune chance Thy father home again to send, If death do strike me with his lance, Yet mayst thou me to him commend If any ask thy mother's name, Tell how by love she purchased blame.

Then will his gentle heart soon yield:

I know him of a noble mind:

Although a lion in the field,

A lamb in town thou shah him find. Ask blessing, babe, be not afraid, His sugar'd words hath me betrayed.

Then mayst thou joy and be right glad;

Although in woe 1 seem to moan,

Thy father ib no rascal lad,

A noble youth of blood and bone

His glancing looks, if he once smile, Right honest women may beguile.

Come, little boy, and rock asleep,

Sing lullaby and be thou still;

I, that can do naught else but weep,

Will sit by thee and wail my fill

God bless my babe, and lullaby From this thy father's quality.

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