A mask of gold hides all deformities.

A mask of gold hides all deformities.

Gold gives to the ugliest thing a certain charming air,
For that without it were else a miserable affair.
read more

Gold gives to the ugliest thing a certain charming air,
For that without it were else a miserable affair.
[Fr., L'or donne aux plus laids certain charme pour plaire,
Et que sans lui le reste est une triste affaire.]

An ass is but an ass, though laden with gold.

An ass is but an ass, though laden with gold.

Thou that so stoutly hast resisted me,
Give me thy gold, if thou hast any gold;
For read more

Thou that so stoutly hast resisted me,
Give me thy gold, if thou hast any gold;
For I have bought it with an hundred blows.

These gems have life in them: their colors speak,
Say what words fail of.

These gems have life in them: their colors speak,
Say what words fail of.

And I had lent my watch last night to one
That dines to-day at the sheriff's.

And I had lent my watch last night to one
That dines to-day at the sheriff's.

The glowing Ruby should adorn
Those who in warm July are born,
Then will they be exempt read more

The glowing Ruby should adorn
Those who in warm July are born,
Then will they be exempt and free
From love's doubt and anxiety.

Commerce has set the mark of selfishness,
The signet of its all-enslaving power
Upon a shining ore, read more

Commerce has set the mark of selfishness,
The signet of its all-enslaving power
Upon a shining ore, and called it gold;
Before whose image bow the vulgar great,
The vainly rich, the miserable proud,
The mob of peasants, nobles, priests, and kings,
And with blind feelings reverence the power
That grinds them to the dust of misery.
But in the temple of their hireling hearts
Gold is a living god, and rules in scorn
All earthly things but virtue.

More gold has been mined from the thoughts of men than has been taken from the earth.

More gold has been mined from the thoughts of men than has been taken from the earth.