FOR CHILDREN. 147:

And two long miles he led them on,
While they for bread complain ;
“Stay here,” quoth he, “1'll bring you some,
When I came back again.”

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;

Tn one another’s arms they died,
For want of due relief.

No burial this pretty pair
Of any man receives,

Till Robin Redbreast painfully!
Did cover them with leaves.

And now the heavy wrath of God
Upon their uncle fell;

Yea, fearful fiends did haunt his house
His conscience felt a hell.

His barns were fired, his goods consumed,
His lands were barren made;

1 Painfully—with pains or trouble — carefully. Some
copies read “ piously.” :