[Illustration: NOW, BROTHER, said the dying man, LOOK TO MY CHILDREN
DEARE.]
"Now, brother," said the dying man,
"Look to my children deare;
Be good unto my boy and girl,
No friendes else have they here:
"To God and you I do commend
My children deare this daye;
But little while be sure we have
Within this world to staye.
"You must be father and mother both,
And uncle all in one;
God knowes what will become of them,
When I am dead and gone."
[Illustration]
With that bespake their mother deare:
"O brother kinde," quoth shee,
You are the man must bring our babes
To wealth or miserie:
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
"And if you keep them carefully,
Then God will you reward;
But if you otherwise should deal,
God will your deedes regard."
[Illustration: WITH LIPPES AS COLD AS ANY STONE, THEY KIST THE CHILDREN
SMALL]
With lippes as cold as any stone.
They kist the children small:
'God bless you both, my children deare;'
With that the teares did fall.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
These speeches then their brother spake
To this sicke couple there:
"The keeping of your little ones,
Sweet sister, do not feare:
"God never prosper me nor mine,
Nor aught else that I have,
If I do wrong your children deare,
When you are layd in grave.
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