Henry Fielding (1707–1754)

GREAT sir, as on each levée day

I still attend you—still you say

I’m busy now, to-morrow come;

To-morrow, sir, you’re not at home,

So says your porter, and dare I

Give such a man as him the lie?

In imitation, sir, of you,

I keep a mighty levée too;

Where my attendants, to their sorrow,

Are bid to come again to-morrow.

To-morrow they return, no doubt,

And then like you, sir, I’m gone out.

So says my maid—but they, less civil,

Give maid and master to the devil;

And then with menaces depart,

Which could you hear would pierce your heart.

Good sir, or make my levée fly me,

Or lend your porter to deny me.