'TIS GOLD! 'TIS GOLD!
BY JAMES L. ROCHE.
What is it worldlings bow before,
And thieves and murderers adore;
Corrupts the young, and damns the old
'Tis gold! 'tis gold!
'Tis not for me! my heart detests
Its haughty rule, its proud behests;
It turns the warmest natures cold,
Corrupting gold! corrupting gold!
What is it dooms to live and die
Unblest, the hearts it could not buy?
Betrays the honest, tries the bold?
'Tis gold! 'tis gold!
'Tis not for me! &c.
What is it sets one friend, one brother,
In deadly strife against another?
The kind, warm heart turns selfish, cold
'Tis gold! 'tis gold!
'Tis not for me! &c.
What is it that doth Earth subdue,
And thinks to conquer Heaven too?
That doth o'er ALL dominion hold?
'Tis gold! 'tis gold!
'Tis not for me! &c.
What is it tempts th' unguarded soul,
From God, and from its destined goal?
Accursed thing! still be it told,
'Tis gold! 'tis gold!
'Tis not for me! &c.