When the Head-servant must vacate his place;

And nothing lay so patent to the world

As that his fellow-servants one and all

Were—mildly to make mention—knaves or fools,

Each of them with his promise flourished full

I' the face of you by word and impudence,

Or filtered slyly out by nod and wink

And nudge upon your sympathetic rib—

That not one minute more did knave or fool

Mean to keep faith and serve as he had sworn