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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HONESTY. |
 | The footman's friendly advice |  |
16
HONESTY.
First, let strict Justice in our Breasts reside,
And Truth and Honesty our Actions guide:
Let no Temptations draw us to abuse
The Trust which Masters in our Faith repose;
Reflect how vile, how base 'twou'd be to cheat
The Man who cloaths us, and whose Bread we eat.
Then, to be branded with the odious Name
Of one not to be trusted, spoils our Fame.
What Master can commend us when we go?
Or who will keep us when they find us so?
For find us out they surely will at last,
Some Circumstance mismanag'd in our Haste
The Crime betrays, or some malicious Eye,
Watchful of Mischief does the Fault descry.
Or grant you are so dext'rous in Deceit,
As undiscover'd to go thro' the Cheat,
Yet future Strife with Partners may reveal
The latent Crime, and all the Secret tell:
Strait your discharg'd, your Reputation lost,
Nor can you hope to gain a second Post.
And Truth and Honesty our Actions guide:
Let no Temptations draw us to abuse
The Trust which Masters in our Faith repose;
Reflect how vile, how base 'twou'd be to cheat
The Man who cloaths us, and whose Bread we eat.
Then, to be branded with the odious Name
Of one not to be trusted, spoils our Fame.
What Master can commend us when we go?
Or who will keep us when they find us so?
For find us out they surely will at last,
Some Circumstance mismanag'd in our Haste
The Crime betrays, or some malicious Eye,
Watchful of Mischief does the Fault descry.
Or grant you are so dext'rous in Deceit,
As undiscover'd to go thro' the Cheat,
Yet future Strife with Partners may reveal
The latent Crime, and all the Secret tell:
Strait your discharg'd, your Reputation lost,
Nor can you hope to gain a second Post.
Not so the honest Man, his peaceful Breast,
Nor Doubts, nor Fears, nor guilty Thoughts molest;
Just his Designs, his Actions all are just,
He gains his Master's Love, Esteem, and Trust.
Int'rest, that sly Seducer of the Will,
Can never move his steady Soul to Ill.
Nor is he just but in his Master's View,
When Fear of being caught may keep him true.
Absent or present, 'tis the very same;
He shuns the Guilt more than he dreads the Shame
And scorns to act, tho' safe, a Thing that merits Blame.
Thus after long Experience oft has prov'd
His steady Virtue is not to be moved,
Of his known Faithfulness so well assur'd,
From Fears of Fraud his Master rests secur'd:
And, should Occasion happen, in his Breast,
His Gold, his Secrets, or his Life might rest.
This gains us Love, by this alone we climb
Up to our Master's Favour and Esteem:
And, if it ever in his Power lie,
A better Post rewards our long Fidelity.
Nor Doubts, nor Fears, nor guilty Thoughts molest;
Just his Designs, his Actions all are just,
He gains his Master's Love, Esteem, and Trust.
Int'rest, that sly Seducer of the Will,
Can never move his steady Soul to Ill.
17
When Fear of being caught may keep him true.
Absent or present, 'tis the very same;
He shuns the Guilt more than he dreads the Shame
And scorns to act, tho' safe, a Thing that merits Blame.
Thus after long Experience oft has prov'd
His steady Virtue is not to be moved,
Of his known Faithfulness so well assur'd,
From Fears of Fraud his Master rests secur'd:
And, should Occasion happen, in his Breast,
His Gold, his Secrets, or his Life might rest.
This gains us Love, by this alone we climb
Up to our Master's Favour and Esteem:
And, if it ever in his Power lie,
A better Post rewards our long Fidelity.
| The footman's friendly advice | |