And brings them straight unto his house, Where much of them he makes. He bargained with two ruffians strong, 66 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 ride, Rejoicing with a merry mind, They should on cockhorse ride. They prate and prattle pleasantly, As they rode on the way, To those that should their butchers be, And work their lives' decay. So that the pretty speech they had The other won't agree thereto, He took the children by the hand, And two long miles he led them on, 66 Stay here," quoth he, "I'll bring you When I come back again." [bread These pretty babes, with hand in hand, Went wandering up and down; But never more could see the man Approaching from the town; Their pretty lips with blackberries Were all besmeared and dyed, And when they saw the darksome night They sat them down and cried. Thus wandered these poor innocents, Till death did end their grief; In one another's arms they died, As wanting due relief. No burial this pretty pair Of any man receives, Did cover them with leaves. And now, the heavy wrath of God Yea, fearful fiends did haunt his house, |