"I do not wish to hear or see any thing more for you when your majesty abuses me, and considers me such a mean, base fellow.

Your majesty first commanded me to listen, and spy, and now that I am obeying, I am despised and scolded for it.

I will have nothing more to do with it, and I wish your majesty to leave me a simple footman rather than to accord me such a mean position." "I did not mean so badly," said the king.

"I mean well enough for you; but you must not permit yourself to be arrogant or disrespectful, otherwise you may go to Tophet! You are no common spy, you are listening about a little because you know I am fond of hearing what the people are saying, and what is going on in Berlin and Potsdam.

But take care that they know nothing about it, otherwise they will be careful, and you will hear nothing.