3
And to his little daughter Jane
Five hundred pounds in gold,
To be paid down on marriage-day,
Which might not be controll'd.
But should the children chance to die
Ere they to age should come,
Their uncle should possoss 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 I have here:
To God and you I do commend
My children night and day in
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 bespake their mother dear
O 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;
If otherwise you seem to deal,
God will your deeds regard.
With lips as cold as any stone,
