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.
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Gold is a vain and foolish fancy.
[Fr., L'or est une chimere.]
Gold is a vain and foolish fancy.
[Fr., L'or est une chimere.]
And yet he hadde "a thombe of gold" pardee.
And yet he hadde "a thombe of gold" pardee.
If you are truthful you will have as much gold as you want.
If you are truthful you will have as much gold as you want.
Truly now is the golden age; the highest honour comes by means of
gold; by gold love is procured.
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Truly now is the golden age; the highest honour comes by means of
gold; by gold love is procured.
[Lat., Aurea nunc vere sunt saecula; plurimus auto
Venit honos; auro concilatur amor.]
As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every moment of time
As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every moment of time
Gold does not rust on the ground, and rocks don't get soaked in the rain.
Gold does not rust on the ground, and rocks don't get soaked in the rain.
That is gold which is worth gold.
That is gold which is worth gold.
How quickly nature falls into revolt
When gold becomes her object!
For this the foolish overcareful fathers
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How quickly nature falls into revolt
When gold becomes her object!
For this the foolish overcareful fathers
Have broke their sleep with thoughts, their brains with care.
Their bones with industry.
For this they have engrossed and piled up
The cankered heaps of strange-achieved gold;
For this they have been thoughtful to invest
Their sons with arts and martial exercises.
