Produced by Larry B. Harrison, and the Archives and Special Collections, University Libraries, Ball State University and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net [Illustration: Book Cover] THE BABES IN THE WOOD MAY BELLS SERIES MCLOUGHLIN BRO'S N. Y. THE CHILDREN IN THE WOOD. A gentleman of good account In Norfolk dwelt of late, Who did in honor far surmount Most men of his estate. Sore sick he was, and like to die, No help his life could save; His wife by him as sick did lie, And both possessed one grave. No love between these two was lost, Each was to other kind; In love they lived, in love they died, And left two babes behind. The one, a fine and pretty boy, Not passing three years old; The other, a girl more young than he, And framed in beauty's mould. The father left his little son, As plainly doth appear, When he to perfect age should come, Three hundred pounds a year. And to his little daughter Jane, Five hundred pounds in gold, To be paid down on her marriage-day, Which might not be controlled: But if the children chanced to die, Ere they to age should come, Their uncle should possess their wealth; For so the will did run. "Now, brother," said the dying man, "Look to my children dear; Be good unto my boy and girl, No friends else have they here:" And up bespake their mother dear, "O, brother kind," quoth she, "You are the man must bring our babes To wealth or misery." These speeches then their brother spake To this sick couple there: "The keeping of your little ones, Sweet sister, do not fear. [Illustration: THE PARENTS' DEATH.] [Illustration: THE RUFFIANS' FIGHT.] "God never prosper me nor mine, Nor aught else that I have, If I do wrong your children dear When you are laid in grave." The parents being dead and gone The children home he takes, And brings them straight unto his house, Where much of them he makes. He had not kept these pretty babes A twelvemonth and a day, But, for their wealth, he did devise To make them both away. He bargained with two ruffians strong Which were of furious mood, That they should take these children young, And slay them in a wood. He told his wife an artful tale: He would the children send To be brought up in fair London, With one that was his friend. Away then went those pretty babes, Rejoicing at that tide, Rejoicing with a merry mind, They should on cock-horse ride.