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

'$ ANCIENT SONGS
Thefe fpeeches then their brother fpake
To this ficke couple there,
The keeping of your little ones
Sweet filter, do not feare ; 60
God never profper me nor mine,
Nor aught elfe that I have,
If I do wrong your children dearc,
When you are layd in grave.
The parents being dead and gone, -65
The children home he takes,
And bringes them ftraite unto his houfe,
Where much of them he makes.
He had not kept thefe pretty babes
A twelvemonth and a daye,
7°
But, for their wealth, he did devife
To make them both awaye.
He bargain'd with two ruffians frrong,
Which were of furious mood,
That they mould take thefe children young, 75
And flaye them in a wood
He told his wife an artful tale,
He would the children fend
To be brought up in faire London,
With one that was his friend. So
Away then went thefe pretty babes,
Rejoycing at that tide,
:
Rejoycing