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A book of Bristol sonnets

By H. D. Rawnsley

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WILLS' MANUFACTORY, REDCLIFFE STREET, THE PORTRAIT GALLERY OF OLD SERVANTS IN.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


96

WILLS' MANUFACTORY, REDCLIFFE STREET, THE PORTRAIT GALLERY OF OLD SERVANTS IN.

Well has the painter given them their reward!
Yea, their own faces do the truth commend!
Their honest purpose, and that purpose' end,
Has filled their eyes, and deep their foreheads scarred.
Early and late, these servants toiling hard,
For half the days God unto man will lend,
Merged the old name of Master into Friend,
And helped his fortunes in the factory yard.
When love, not need, makes swift the workman's hand,
Love, not exaction, is the Lord's demand,
Sure unto each the other's aim is known,
And studying this all best conserve their own;
By God, not man, the whole machine is swayed,
And prospering well, more smoothly runs the trade!
 

Upon the walls of the reception-room hang portraits of all the servants who have worked for this firm for a period of forty years.