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

!76 ANCtENT SONGS
And two long miles he ledd them on,
While they for food complaine
Staye here, quoth he, I'll bring you bread,
When I come back againe.
Thefe pretty babes, with hand in hand,
Went wandering up and downe;
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1 10 ;
!But never more could fee the man 115
Approaching from the town :
Their prettye lippes with black-berries,
Were all befmear'd and dyed,
And when they fawe the darkfome night,
They fat them downe and cryed. 120
Thus wandered thefe poor innocents,
Till deathe did end their grief,
In one anothers armes they dyed,
As wanting due relief:
No burial this ' pretty ' pair* 125-
Of any man receives,
Till Robin-red-breaft pioufly
Did cover them with leaves.
And now the heavy wrathe of God
Upon their uncle fell
Yea, fearfull fiends did haunt his houie,
His confcience felt an hell
JHis barnes were fir'd, his goodes confum'd,
His landes were barren made,
Ver. 125. thefe. . babes. P P.
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130
His