6
Because the wretch that hired him
Had paid him very large.
The other would not agree thereto,
So here they fell at strife;
With one another they did fight
About the children's life:
And he that was of mildest mood
Did slay the other there,
Within an unfrequented wood;
While babes did quake for fear.
He took the children by the hand,
When tears stood in their eye;
And bade them come along with him,
And look they did not cry;
And two long miles he led them on,
While they for food complain;
Stay here, quoth he, I'll bring you bread
When I do come again.
These pretty babes, with hand in hand,
Went wandering up and down;
But never more they saw the man
Approaching from the town.
Their pretty lips with blackberries
Were all besmear’d and dy’d;
