The worlds wonder. Or, a strange and miraculous work of Gods providence, shewed to a poor distressed widdow and her seven small fatherlesse children, who lived by a burnt six penny-loaf of bread, and a little water, for above seven weeks, in the wilde of Kent. To the tune of, Chevy Chase.

The Worlds Wonder .

Or , A strange and miraculous work of Gods providence , shewed to a poor distressed widdow and her seven small fatherl● children , who lived by a burnt six penny-loaf of bread , and a little water , for above seven weeks , in the wilde of Kent .

To the Tune of , Chevy Chase .

TAke comfort Christians all , for never shall you sée , The faithful sort forsaken quite , and left in misery , Who lives and loves to hear , the truth in each degrée , The story of a Widdows plaint , let them give ear to mée . Who by this widdow here sufficient have béen try'd , The which was left both poor and bare when as her Husband dy'd . And seven young Children small , upon her hands likewise , And knew not how to buy them bread , their hunger to suffice . She labours night and day , she spins and takes great pain . And many a thing to buy them bread , God knows she layes to pawn , But when this help did fail , as time consumeth all , Oh! then she knew not how to kéep , her hungry Children small . Most Mighty God she said , cast down a tender eye , And suffer not thy servants here , in hunger for to dye . Thou that the Ravens did send , Elias for to féed , When that he was in Wildernesse , in extream want and néed . And rained bread from Heaven , old Israel to preserve , And wouldst not in the Lyons den , let Daniel pine nor starve . I know my Lord she said , thou didst five thousand féed , With five small loaves of barly bread , as we in Scripture read . And each one had enough , their hunger to sustain , And afterwards twelve baskests full , of scraps did still remain , I know my Lord she said , thou art so mighty still , And therefore every thing be done , according to thy will . Her prayer ended thus , Her children cryed straight way , O mother dear give us some bread , we have eat none to day . Give mée some bread said one , give mee some bread said another , And thus the silly Infants flock , about their carefull mother . The good soul hearing this , perswades them to be still , O soon at night my Lambs quoth shee , you shall have bread your fill . I will to market go , though corn be wondrous dear , And sell my Gown to buy a peck , If you will be quiet here .

THe Children smil'd at this , content they did remain , Good Mother every one could say , come quickly home again . Three miles this woman went , unto the Market-town , And for five shillings at the last , she sold her russet Gown . Who being glad in heart , to Market streight she hies , But there alass her purse was cut , ere any corn she buyes , She cryeth out God wot , she weeps and makes great moan To every one that passeth by , her grief she makes it known . But yet behold and see here in her woeful case Her husbands brother he was one that sold corn in that place . This woeful Woman then , did him desire and pray . To trust her with one peck of corn , till the next market day . But he denyes her flat , And thus he tells her plain I shall not have to serve my turne , till corne doth come again . More heed you might have took , unto your purse quoth he , And not to lose your money here , so fond and foolishly . These dogged answers cut this good soul to the heart , Especially when she did think , upon her infants smart . Who sits and strives at home , poor souls but all in va●●e , Which of them should the highst péece , of bread and butter gain . But farre alass were they . from butter bread or chéese , Or any thing to comfort them that their poor Mother see's . But now behold Gods work , as homeward she return'd A baker's boy gave her a loaf which was in baking burn'd . She gave God thanks for that , and joyfull in her hand She bears the bread home to her babes which waiting for her stand . She kisses them each one , and with a chearful look And said we will to supper go when you have said your book . Mean time she makes a fire and apples therein throw , The widdow and her seven Children , to supper swéetly go . The apples rosted well , and she doth cut them bread , On every peece most lovingly she doth the Apple spread . Instead of drink they had , a cup of water clear , And every Childe rejoyced much and said , here is good chear . Behold when they had sup't , for God their food did blesse When they had sup't and were suffic'd , the loaf was never the lesse , For seven weeks spa●e together as storys plainly spread , The Widdow and her seven children by this one loaf was fed . The Cut-purse-man I say , he broke his neck in Kent , E're he of this poor Widdows Coyn , one single penny had spent , And yet behold and see , her husband 's churlish brother , Which would not lend a peck of corn , to succor one or other , Had streight way after this , his corn clean wash't away , All by a mighty flood that rose , before the break of day . The Gentle men and such which did this wonder see . Vnto the Widdow gave such gifts , that never more wanted she , Take comfort Christians all , for never shall you see , The faithful sort forsaken quite , and left in misery . FINIS .