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The blind side of our master's understanding,

With fawning and wheedling in this kind of way:

'Would not you please go to the bath, sir? surely

It's not worth while to attend the courts to-day.'

And—'Would not you please to take a little refreshment?

And there's that nice hot broth—and here's the threepence

You left behind you—and would not you order supper?'

Moreover, when we get things out of compliment

As a present for our master, he contrives

To snatch 'em and serve 'em up before our faces.

I'd made a Spartan cake at Pylos lately,

And mixed and kneaded it well, and watched the baking;

But he stole round before me and served it up:

And he never allows us to come near our master

To speak a word; but stands behind his back