Two men: one of old ways, old friends bereft,
His life's a mask - behind, no substance left.
The other: lowly, neither wild nor tame,
His thoughts - his own - may bring the first man's shame.
The one a man for murder and for theft,
But what of this? His conscience is not cleft.
The second seldom plays another's game;
Though others lie, to Truth he sets his aim.

'By this, now all can see I've proved my right,
So get you hence, be gone far from my sight.'
'I always have been loyal to my master - '
'Then be submissive still and take your flight,
For he himself dismissed you on this night.'
'As such, he welcomes yet his own disaster.'

--
-Of course, I own nothing except my passion for Susanna Clarke's marvellous story.