Reliques of ancient English poetry: consisting of old heroic ballads ...

AND BALLADS, 173
But if the children chance to dye,
Ere they to age fhould come, 30
Their uncle mould pofTefle their wealth j
For fo the wille did run.
Now, brother, faid the dying man,
Look to my children deare ;
Be good unto my boy and girl, 35
No friendes elfe have they here
To God and you I recommend
My children deare this daye ;
But little while be fure we have
:
Within this world to ftaye. 40
You muft be father and mother both,
And uncle all in one ;
Cod knowes what will become of them,
When I am dead and gone.
With that befpake their mother deare, 45
O brother kinde, quoth lhee,
You are the man muft bring our babes
To wealth or miferie
And if you keep them carefully.
Then God will you reward ;
But if you otherwife mould deal,
God will your deedes regard.
With lippes as cold as any ftone,
They kill their children fmall
God blefs you both, my children deare ; 55
With that the teares did fall.
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50