144 SELECT POETRY

And to his little daughter Jane
Five hundred pounds in gold,
To be paid down on marriage day,
Which might not be controlled ;

But if the children chance 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;
“To God and you I recommend
My children dear this day ;
But little while, be sure, we have
Within this world to stay.

« You must be father and mother both,
And uncle all in one;
God knows what will become of them,
When I am dead and gone.”

With that out spoke their mother dear,
* Q brother kind,” quoth! she,
* You are the man must bring our babes
To wealth or misery.

“ And if you keep them carefully,
Then God will you reward ;

But if you otherwise should deal,

God will your deeds regard.””

© Quoth—says or said.
2 Regard—regard and pwiish.