The second brother then must shoot, Who straight did take his aime, And with his arrow made a wound, That blood came from the same. The third likewise must try his skill 165 The matter to decide; Whose shaft did make a wound most deep Into the dead man's side. Unto the fourth and youngest, then, A bow and shaft were brought; 170 Who said, "D'ee thinke that ere my heart Could harbour such a thought, To shoot at my dear father's heart, Although that he be dead, For all the kingdomes in the world 175 That farre and wide are spread?" And turning of him round about, The teares ran downe amaine: He flung his bow upon the ground, And broke his shaft in twaine. 180 The judges seeing his remorse, They then concluded all He was the right, the other three They were unnaturall. And so he straight possest the lands, 185 Being made the heire of all, And heaven by nature in this kind Unto his heart did call. His brothers they did envy him, But yet he need not care, 190 And of his wealth, in portions large, Unto them he did share. SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON'S ADVANCEMENT. This ballad is taken from _The Crowne-Garland of Golden Roses_, p. 20, Percy Society, vol. vi. Another copy is in _A Collection of Old Ballads_, i. 130. A play called _The History of Whittington_ was entered on the Stationers' books in Feb. 1604, and the "famous fable of Whittington and his puss" is mentioned in _Eastward Hoe_, 1605. (Weber and Halliwell.)