Three Children

Three children sliding on the ice
      Upon a summer’s day,
  As it fell out they all fell in,
      The rest they ran away.

Now, had these children been at home,
      Or sliding on dry ground,
  Ten thousand pounds to one penny
      They had not all been drowned.

You parents all that children have,
      And you too that have none,
  If you would have them safe abroad
      Pray keep them safe at home.

London, 1662