Page:The Babes in the Wood.djvu/2

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Now ponder well, you parents dear, &emsp;These words which I shall write; A doleful story you shall hear, &emsp;In time brought forth to light. A gentleman of good account &emsp;In Norfolk dwelt of late, Who did in honour far surmount &emsp;Most men of his estate.

Sore sick he was, and like to die, &emsp;No help his life could save; His wife by him as sick did lie, &emsp;And both possessed one grave. No love between these two was lost, &emsp;Each was to other kind; In love they lived, in love they died, &emsp;And left two babes behind.

The one, a fine and pretty boy, &emsp;Not passing three years old; The other, a girl more young than he, &emsp;And framed in beauty's mold. The father left his little son, &emsp;As plainly doth appear, When he to perfect age should come, &emsp;Three hundred pounds a year.