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By gold all good faith has been banished; by gold our rights are
abused; the law itself is influenced read more
By gold all good faith has been banished; by gold our rights are
abused; the law itself is influenced by gold, and soon there will
be an end of every modest restraint.
[Lat., Auro pulsa fides. auro venalia jura,
Aurum lex sequitur, mox sine lege pudor.]
Alas! the small discredit of a bribe
Scarce hurts the lawyer, but undoes the scribe.
Alas! the small discredit of a bribe
Scarce hurts the lawyer, but undoes the scribe.
'Tis pleasant purchasing our fellow-creatures;
And all are to be sold, if you consider
Their passions, and read more
'Tis pleasant purchasing our fellow-creatures;
And all are to be sold, if you consider
Their passions, and are dext'rous; some by features
Are brought up, others by a warlike leader;
Some by a place--as tend their years or natures;
The most by ready cash--but all have prices,
From crowns to kicks, according to their vices.
Judges and senates have been bought for gold;
Esteem and love were never to be sold.
Judges and senates have been bought for gold;
Esteem and love were never to be sold.
'Tis gold
Which buys admittance--oft it doth--yea, and makes
Diana's rangers false themselves, yield up
read more
'Tis gold
Which buys admittance--oft it doth--yea, and makes
Diana's rangers false themselves, yield up
This deer to th' stand o' th' stealer: and 'tis gold
Which makes the true man kill'd and saves the thief,
Nay, sometimes hangs both thief and true man.
No mortal thing can bear so high a price,
But that with mortal thing it may be bought.
No mortal thing can bear so high a price,
But that with mortal thing it may be bought.
But here more slow, where all are slaves to gold,
Where looks are merchandise, and smiles are sold.
But here more slow, where all are slaves to gold,
Where looks are merchandise, and smiles are sold.
Every man has his price.
Every man has his price.
Our supple tribes repress their patriot throats,
And ask no questions but the price of votes.
Our supple tribes repress their patriot throats,
And ask no questions but the price of votes.
