Page:Two favourite ballads (1).pdf/3

 And to his little daughter Jane

Five hundred pounds in gold,

To be paid down on marriage-day,

Which might not be controll'd.

But should the children chance to die

Ere they to age should come,

Their uncle should possoss their wealth,

For so the will did run.

Now, brother, said the dying man,

Look to my children dear;

Be good unto my boy and girl,

No friends else I have here:

To God and you I do commend

My children night and day in

But little while, be sure, we have

Within this world to stay.

You must be father, and mother both,

And uncle all in one;

God knows what will become of them

When I am dead and gone!

With that bespake their mother dear

O brother kind, quoth she,

You are the man must bring our babes

To wealth or misery

And if you keep them carefully,

Then God will you reward;

If otherwise you seem to deal,

God will your deeds regard.

With lips as cold as any stone,

She kiss'd her children small,