 | The Twin Brothers |  |
SCENE IV.
Enter MESSENIO.Mess.
'Tis on all hands allow'd to be the proof
Of a good servant, when he takes good care of,
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His master's business. That, when he is absent,
Things may go on as well, or even better
Than when he's present. He whose heart is right,
Will think his back of greater consequence
Than is his gullet: Ay, and to his belly
Prefer his legs. He ought to bear in mind
The wages, servants good for nothing, idle,
Or wicked, from their masters hands receive;
And these are, stripes and chains, the stocks, the mill,
Hard labour, cold and hunger. Such as these
Are the rewards of idleness. This evil
I'm terribly afraid of; therefore choose
Rather to do my duty, than neglect it.
Words I can bear, but stripes I hate. I rather
Like to eat that which has been ground by others,
Than grind myself what others are to eat.
I therefore execute my master's orders
Well; and with sober diligence I serve him:
This turns to my account—Let others act then
As best they think it for their interest,
I'll ever be that which I ought to be:
This fear I'll still retain, to keep me free
From fault; that wheresoe'er my master is,
I may be ready there to wait on him.
Those servants who have nothing done amiss,
Yet keep this fear, still make themselves of use
To their respective masters. But the servants
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Fear, when they've something done to merit punishment.
As for myself, I shan't live long in fear—
The time draws nigh, when master will reward me
For all the pains I have been at to serve him.
I've serv'd him so, as to consult my back.
Now that I've plac'd the servants, as he order'd,
And what they'd want i'th'inn, I'm come to meet him.
I'll now knock at the door, that he may know
I'm here, tho' doubtful whether I can bring him
Safe off from this vile house—I fear me much
Lest I should come after the battle's fought.
| The Twin Brothers | |