BIB Id 278873
YOU parents that have children dear,
To what I shall relate give ear;
In
A tender wife and husband dear,
Whom cruel death of life beguil'd,
He left his tender wife with child;
Improv'd a daughter, therefore she
Was brought up very tenderly;
And as she did grow up in time,
Her temper was like one divine;
So sweet, so modest and so fair
That few with her they could compare.
And when her words her silence broke,
You would have thought an angel spoke.
She was her mother's darling bright,
In learning she took great delight;
'Bove all the rest her mind was given,
To find the ready way to heaven:
If she one penny had in store,
She'd freely give it to the poor.
As this child came from school one day,
She saw some children at their play;
And wickedly they did blaspheme,
And took
She said dear children, pray forbear,
What makes you thus to curse and swear;
At school you never learnt the same,
Therefore I think you're much to blame;
Besides, what will your parents say,
When they do hear you go astray,
I'm sure their hearts would troubled be,
To know you live so wickedly,
Remember every sinful word
You'll answer for before the
Then started up a little elf,
Saying, dear Miss, pray mind yourself;
We'll lead our lives this merry way,
In spite of what you do or say,
We value not our parents dear,
The church we never will draw near;
For there's no heaven to enter in,
Nor hell to punish folks for sin,
A gentleman hath told us so,
Who gave us money so to do;
So hold your tongue and don't us teaze,
For, madam, we'll do what we please.
The pretty maiden weeping said,
It was the devil I'm afraid,
Who bade you
That he your precious souls might take.
But dear companions pray take care,
You fall not in this woful snare,
Take this advice I do implore,
Or else I'll ne'er come near you more,
One taking this in great disgrace,
Did strike her on her pretty face,
Saying, dear Miss, pray hence depart,
We scorn you from our very heart.
This pretty maid weeping did say,
Though you do strike me I will pray,
That your poor souls in heaven dwell,
And so I bid you all farewell.
Tears from her cheeks in streams did glide,
Her mother ask'd her why she cry'd,
What did your mistress you chastise;
That you come home with weeping eyes?
No, mother dear (this child did say)
Some children I have seen this day,
Who will not
It is for their poor souls I weep;
When I them blamed for their oath,
They gave me many bitter blows;
But let them do whate'er they will,
Their precious souls I'll pray for still,
Her mother took her in her arms,
My dear,
Don't weep, my child nor be distress'd
They'll answer for their wickedness.
As this child went to school one day,
Through the church-yard she took her way
Where lo! the devil came and said,
Where are you going pretty maid?
To school I'm going, sir said she,
No child, don't mind the same said he,
But hasten to your playmates dear,
Who learn to lie and curse and swear,
They bravely spend their time in play,
It is a fable, child, he cry'd,
At which his cloven foot she spy'd,
I'm sure there is a
That from your power will keep me free,
And if this thing you do deny,
Your cloven foot gives you the lie:
In the name of
At which the devil instantly,
In flames of fire away did fly,
Soon after came an angel fair,
Saying to her why weep'st my dear,
Why doth your time, now swiftly run,
Or is it death you look upon?
If it be so, be not beguil'd,
You only die, to live my child.
At which the pretty harmless maid,
Then to the shining angel said,
Dear sir, I'm not afraid of death,
For if
A harmless child and innocent:
O sir, he was here but just now,
Without
But heaven I hope will hear my prayers,
And dry my cheeks fsom weeping tears.
The angel took her by the hand,
My dear I came by heaven's command,
To comfort you in this sad hour.
That
To tempt you more while you have breath,
Too good you are to live on earth,
But my dear child, continue on,
In heaven for you there is a throne;
Where
In such as you he takes delight:
May his blessing on you remain,
So farewell till we meet again.
This pretty maiden strait went home,
And told her mother all she'd done,
Who wept full sore, she did foresee
Her child would not long with her stay,
In a month's time she did complain,
That she did feel tormenting pain,
The doctors sent for were with speed,
To help this child in time of need,
Her sickness it was most severe,
But yet this pretty harmless dear,
Would seldom groan or make complaint:
But seemed like a dying saint.
And when the doctors gave her o'er.
Nothing could grieve this dear child more,
Than when her mother's tears she spyd',
Dear mother for me do not cry:
Come kiss your child, and don't complain,
We only part to meet again:
My soul seems in a cage to be,
But death I hope will set it free.
To my companions tell this truth,
To serve the
That their poor souls may be forgiven,
And when they die may go to heaven.
Thus spake the dying infant dear,
When lo! the ANGEL did appear,
Have mercy
And comfort me before I die.
Look mother dear, I pray behold
My shining angel bright as gold,
Where is he child? I can't him see,
O! there he is, 'tis he, 'tis he,
Speak lovely angel, take me hence,
Thy words excel all eloquence,
Sweet child, says he, thy days are done,
Thy minutes fly, thy glass is run.
I'm coming
Dont weep, dont weep, dear mother pray,
My soul seem'd in a cage to be,
But death is come to set it free,
Methinks I hear my passing bell,
My friends all taking their farewell.
Sweet
Thus died this pretty harmless maid;
When lo! was heard a charming sound,
As if a saint in heaven was crown'd,
And at her funeral heard was there,
Sweet heavenly music in the air.
The people wept for this dear child,
She was so heavenly, meek and mild,
But
Where
YOU children who live piously,
Like her, you'll also like her die;
And make you happy after death.