The Babes in the Wood / One of R. Caldecott's Picture Books

Printed in Great Britain

Now ponder well, you parents deare, These wordes which I shall write; A doleful story you shall heare, In time brought forth to light.
A gentleman of good account In Norfolke dwelt of late. Who did in honour far surmount Most men of his estate.
Sore sicke he was, and like to dye, No helpe his life could save; His wife by him as sicke did lye, And both possest one grave.

No love between these two was lost, Each was to other kinde; In love they liv’d, in love they dyed, And left two babes behinde:
The one a fine and pretty boy, Not passing three yeares olde; The other a girl more young than he And fram’d in beautye’s molde.
The father left his little son, As plainlye doth appeare, When he to perfect age should come Three hundred poundes a yeare.
And to his little daughter Jane Five hundred poundes in gold, To be paid downe on marriage-day, Which might not be controll’d:
But if the children chanced to dye, Ere they to age should come, Their uncle should possesse their wealth; For so the wille did run.