"One, fleeter than the rest escaped,
Commanded by Le Force; In dread of foes, or unknown seas,
He held a leeward course.
"But all too fast the gallant ship
Bore down towards the bay; Caught on deceitful shifting sands,
A stranded wreck she lay.
"The boats made shore, the crew dispersed,
One officer remained With his commander, and large share
Of ill-won booty gained.
"On yonder cape they pitched a tent,
And from the vessel's store In haste, with slightest interval,
Much precious freight they bore.
"But where 'twas hid no mortal knew;
Folk say within yon grove, Whose crowding giants dull the day,
Exists the treasure-trove.
"Be't so or not, to me it seems
This cursed greed of gold Shuts all the finer feelings out,
Deforms life's fairest mould.
"Rends rare affection's dearest ties,
Transforms the friend to foe; In battlefield of worldly gain
Smites with unsparing blow.
"Repels all humanizing love;
In haste to reach its goal, Draws even from gates of paradise
The earnest, God-ward soul.
"Two daring youths, from hamlet nigh,
Through motives curious, went When friendly even lent its shades,
Anear the strangers' tent.
"They heard dispute o'er money hoard,
Then louder, wrathful tones, Which hotter, higher, waxed until
They sunk in low, faint moans.