And now the heavy wrathe of God
Upon their uncle fell;130
Yea, fearfull fiends did haunt his house,
His conscience felt an hell;
His barnes were fir'd, his goodes consum'd,
His landes were barren made,
His cattle dyed within the field,135
And nothing with him stayd.
And in [the voyage of Portugal]
Two of his sonnes did dye;
And to conclude, himselfe was brought
To want and miserye:140
He pawn'd and mortgaged all his land
Ere seven years came about,
And now at length this wicked act
Did by this meanes come out:
The fellowe, that did take in hand145
These children for to kill,
Was for a robbery judg'd to dye,
Such was God's blessed will:
Who did confess the very truth,
As here hath been display'd:150
Their uncle having dyed in gaol,
Where he for debt was layd.
You that executors be made,
And overseers eke
Of children that be fatherless,155
And infants mild and meek;
Take you example by this thing,
And yield to each his right,
Lest God with such like miserye
Your wicked minds requite.
[125], these ... babes, PP.
[137]. "A. D. 1588. Dr. Percy, not knowing that the text alludes to a particular event, has altered it to a voyage to Portugal." Ritson.