One fine spring morning, Blithe Natty was busy at his work, and, as usual, his voice and his anvil were keeping time, when old Kasper Crabtree, a miserly old bachelor, who farmed Kesterton Grange, stole on him unobserved. Natty was singing away—
There never was a man.
Since first the world began,
If he only did his duty, and kept his conscience clear,
But God was on his side;
It cannot be denied,
So, whatever may betide,
We’ll do our honest duty, boys, and never, never fear.
Then as you go along,
Ring out a merry song;