The footman's friendly advice To his Brethren of the Livery; And to all Servants in General: ... To which is Prefix'd, An Introduction, humbly Submitted to the Consideration of all Noblemen, Gentlemen, and Ladies, who keep many Servants. Also a postscript, In Answer To Squire Moreton's Pamphlet, Intituled, Every Body's Business is no Body's. By R. D. [i.e. Robert Dodsley] |
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DISCRETION. |
 | The footman's friendly advice |  |
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DISCRETION.
Discretion next shall fill the humble Theme,
Discretion never fails to gain Esteem.
Tho' there may be more shining Qualities,
Yet none more useful will be found than this:
This guides our Virtues right, and checks our Crimes,
And teaches how to act at proper Times.
Forbids us now to speak, and now commands,
And all our Passions within Bounds restrains:
Learns us with Patience little Ills to bear,
And, unprovok'd, in humble Silence hear,
A peevish Master scold and domineer.
For Words may aggravate a trifling Jarr,
Which Silence would have quench'd, into a lasting War.
Reasons and Arguments are urg'd in vain,
While Passion drives, and Anger holds the Rein:
Wait but a Moment, till the Tempest cease,
Then you may speak, be heard, and clear yourself with Ease.
Discretion never fails to gain Esteem.
Tho' there may be more shining Qualities,
Yet none more useful will be found than this:
This guides our Virtues right, and checks our Crimes,
And teaches how to act at proper Times.
Forbids us now to speak, and now commands,
And all our Passions within Bounds restrains:
Learns us with Patience little Ills to bear,
And, unprovok'd, in humble Silence hear,
A peevish Master scold and domineer.
For Words may aggravate a trifling Jarr,
Which Silence would have quench'd, into a lasting War.
Reasons and Arguments are urg'd in vain,
While Passion drives, and Anger holds the Rein:
Wait but a Moment, till the Tempest cease,
Then you may speak, be heard, and clear yourself with Ease.
Further you're by this useful Virtue taught,
To think beforehand what may be a Fault;
To judge what Consequences may ensue
From what you are about to say or do;
To act with Caution, and with Caution speak,
Nor e'er, without Occasion Silence break:
And when a Question's ask'd, let your Replies
Be pertinent, perspicuous, and concife;
But just enough to make your Meaning clear,
And fit for you to speak, and them to hear.
But above all be careful to conceal
What passes in the House in which you dwell;
Your Master's House his Closet ought to be,
Where all are Secrets which you hear or see:
Things which may seem of smallest Consequence,
Ought not by any Means be carried thence;
For he who indiscreetly babbles small Things,
May be suspected of the same in all Things.
To think beforehand what may be a Fault;
To judge what Consequences may ensue
From what you are about to say or do;
To act with Caution, and with Caution speak,
Nor e'er, without Occasion Silence break:
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Be pertinent, perspicuous, and concife;
But just enough to make your Meaning clear,
And fit for you to speak, and them to hear.
But above all be careful to conceal
What passes in the House in which you dwell;
Your Master's House his Closet ought to be,
Where all are Secrets which you hear or see:
Things which may seem of smallest Consequence,
Ought not by any Means be carried thence;
For he who indiscreetly babbles small Things,
May be suspected of the same in all Things.
These, and yet more untold Advantages,
Guide the Discreet, and teach him how to please:
Teach him with cunning Skill to search and find
The darling Humours of a Master's Mind;
Which once discover'd, we with Ease attain
The Art to please him, and his Favour gain:
These are the chief, but we must add to these,
A thousand other little Niceties,
To Servants only known, which tho' they seem
To some but Trifles, are not so to them.
A Word well-tim'd, or some small Action done,
In which a visible good Meaning shone,
Is oft with secret Approbation seen,
And the first Rise to many a one has been.
Guide the Discreet, and teach him how to please:
Teach him with cunning Skill to search and find
The darling Humours of a Master's Mind;
Which once discover'd, we with Ease attain
The Art to please him, and his Favour gain:
These are the chief, but we must add to these,
A thousand other little Niceties,
To Servants only known, which tho' they seem
To some but Trifles, are not so to them.
A Word well-tim'd, or some small Action done,
In which a visible good Meaning shone,
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And the first Rise to many a one has been.
In short, this Virtue in a Servant's Breast,
Brightens and adds a Value to the rest;
Sets us at work at proper Times, and gives
Rules to our Words, our Actions, and our Lives.
Brightens and adds a Value to the rest;
Sets us at work at proper Times, and gives
Rules to our Words, our Actions, and our Lives.
| The footman's friendly advice | |