THE BABES IN THE WOOD

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "THE BABES IN THE WOOD"

Robert Parks
6 years ago
Views:

2 THE BABES IN THE WOOD Written by Randolph Caldecott Edited & Published by 1

3 Publisher s Notes This ebook is created, edited and published by PDFBooksWorld in the year PDFBooksWorld is an ebook Publisher, distributing the published ebooks through their website This ebook is free for non-commercial purpose reading and can be downloaded by members of PDFBooksWorld from the website. Readers of this book are encouraged to share and link to the pages of our website through websites, blogs and social networking Medias. However you may not store or transmit the PDF files (except the preview editions) downloaded from our website in any form for commercial use. Disclaimer: This edition is an electronic version of a public domain book, which was originally written many decades ago. Hence contents found in this ebook may not be relevant to the contemporary scenarios. This book shall be read for informative and educational purpose only. This ebook is provided AS-IS with no other warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability or fitness for any purpose. About This Book & Author The Babes in the Wood is written by Randolph Caldecott. Randolph Caldecott (22 March February 1886) was a British artist and illustrator, born in Chester. The Caldecott Medal was named in his honour. He exercised his art chiefly in book illustrations. His abilities as an artist were promptly and generously recognised by the Royal Academy. Caldecott greatly influenced illustration of children's books during the nineteenth century. Two books illustrated by him, priced at a shilling each, were published every Christmas for eight years. 2

4 Table of Contents The Babes in the Wood... 1 Publisher s Notes... 2 Table of Contents... 3 THE BABES IN THE WOOD... 4 The BABES IN THE WOOD

5 THE BABES IN THE WOOD 4

THE BABES IN THE WOOD. Now ponder well, you parents deare,these wordes which I shall write;a doleful story you shall heare,in time brought forth to light.

6 THE BABES IN THE WOOD. 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 accountin Norfolke dwelt of late.who did in honour far surmountmost 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. 5

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

7 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 heand fram d in beautye s molde. The father left his little son,as plainlye doth appeare,when he to perfect age should comethree hundred poundes a yeare. And to his little daughter JaneFive hundred poundes in gold,to be paid downe on marriage-day,which might not be controll d: 6

8 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. 7

Now, brother, said the dying man, Look to my children deare;be good unto my boy and girl,no friendes else have they here: To God and you I do commendmy children deare this

9 Now, brother, said the dying man, Look to my children deare;be good unto my boy and girl,no friendes else have they here: To God and you I do commendmy children deare this daye;but little while be sure we havewithin this world to staye. You must be father and mother both,and uncle all in one;god knowes what will become of them,when I am dead and gone. 8

10 With that bespake their mother deare: O brother kinde, quoth shee,you are the man must bring our babesto wealth or miserie: 9

11 And if you keep them carefully,then God will you reward;but if you otherwise should deal,god will your deedes regard. With lippes as cold as any stone.they kist the children small: God bless you both, my children deare; With that the teares did fall. 10

feare: God never prosper me nor mine,nor aught else that I

12 These speeches then their brother spaketo this sicke couple there: The keeping of your little ones,sweet sister, do not feare: God never prosper me nor mine,nor aught else that I have,if I do wrong your children deare,when you are layd in grave. 11

13 12

14 The parents being dead and gone,the children home he takes,and bringes them straite unto his house,where much of them he makes. 13

15 He had not kept these pretty babesa twelvemonth and a daye,but, for their wealth, he did deviseto make them both awaye. He bargain d with two ruffians strong,which were of furious mood,that they should take the children young,and slaye them in a wood. 14

Away then went those pretty babes,rejoycing at that

16 He told his wife an artful tale,he would the children sendto be brought up in faire London,With one that was his friend. Away then went those pretty babes,rejoycing at that tide,rejoycing with a merry minde,they should on cock-horse ride. 15

17 16

18 They prate and prattle pleasantlyas they rode on the waye,to those that should their butchers be,and work their lives decaye: So that the pretty speeche they had,made murderers heart relent:and they that undertooke the deed,full sore did now repent. Yet one of them, more hard of heart,did vow to do his charge,because the wretch, that hired him,had paid him very large. 17

19 The other would not agree thereto,so here they fell to strife;with one another they did fight,about the children s life: 18

20 And he that was of mildest mood,did slaye the other there,within an unfrequented wood,where babes did quake for feare! 19

21 He took the children by the hand,while teares stood in their eye,and bade them come and go with him,and look they did not crye: And two long miles he ledd them on,while they for food complaine: Stay here, quoth he, I ll bring ye bread,when I come back againe. 20

22 These prettye babes, with hand in hand,went wandering up and downe; 21

23 But never more they sawe the manapproaching from the town. 22

24 Their prettye lippes with blackberrieswere all besmear d and dyed;and when they sawe the darksome night,they sat them downe and cryed. 23

25 Thus wandered these two prettye babes,till death did end their grief;in one another s armes they dyed,as babes wanting relief. No burial these prettye babesof any man receives, 24

26 Till Robin-redbreast painfullydid cover them with leaves. 25

27 26

28 End of Book We hope you enjoyed reading this book. Become a member of PDFBooksWorld and access our free ebooks library for unlimited download of high quality PDF ebooks. Do share & link to our website through social networks, blogs and websites. 27

THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILTG. Written by Randolph Caldecott. Edited & Published by

THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILTG. Written by Randolph Caldecott. Edited & Published by THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILTG Written by Randolph Caldecott Edited & Published by 1 Publisher s Notes This ebook is created, edited and published by PDFBooksWorld in the year 2013. PDFBooksWorld is an ebook