Page:The Babes in the Wood.djvu/4

Rh And to his little daughter Jane, &emsp;Five hundred pounds in gold, To be paid down on her marriage-day, &emsp;Which might not be controlled; But if the children chanced to die, &emsp;Ere they to age should come, Their uncle should possess their wealth; &emsp;For so the will did run.

"Now, brother," said the dying man, &emsp;"Look to my children dear; Be good unto my boy and girl, &emsp;No friends else have they here: To God and you I recommend &emsp;My children dear this day; But little while be sure we have &emsp;Within this world to stay.

"You must be father and mother both, &emsp;And uncle, all in one; God knows what will become of them, &emsp;When I am dead and gone." With that bespake their mother dear: &emsp;"O brother kind," quoth she, "You are the man must bring our babes &emsp;To wealth or misery.

And if you keep them carefully, &emsp;Then God will you reward; But if you otherwise should deal, &emsp;God will your deeds regard." With lips as cold as any stone, &emsp;They kissed their children small: God bless you both, my children dear;" &emsp;With that their tears did fall.