"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."
— Dodsley, Robert (1703-1764)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for T. Worrall
Date
1729, 1731
Metaphor
"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."
Metaphor in Context
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.
(pp. 16-7 in 1729 ed.)
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.
(pp. 16-7 in 1729 ed.)
Categories
Provenance
Searching "breast" and "gold" in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
See Servitude: a Poem. To which is prefix'd, an Introduction, humbly Submitted to the Consideration of all Noblemen, Gentlemen, and Ladies, who keep many Servants. ... Written by a Footman. (London: Printed for T. Worrall, 1729) <Link to ECCO>
Text from The Footman's Friendly Advice to his Brethren of the Livery; and to all Servants in General: Under the following Heads, viz. Honesty, Carefulness, Obedience, Diligence, Submission to Rebukes, Neatness, Receiving and Delivering Messages, Discretion, &c. ... By R. D. now a Footman (London: Printed for T. Worrall, 1730). <Link to ECCO>
Text from The Footman's Friendly Advice to his Brethren of the Livery; and to all Servants in General: Under the following Heads, viz. Honesty, Carefulness, Obedience, Diligence, Submission to Rebukes, Neatness, Receiving and Delivering Messages, Discretion, &c. ... By R. D. now a Footman (London: Printed for T. Worrall, 1730). <Link to ECCO>
Date of Entry
04/11/2005
Date of Review
04/26/2011
