His pamper'd pages quite cut out
The pages from the "Wealth of Nations:"
They had gilt edges, past a doubt,
And lots of Doré illustrations.
But Midas very soon, they say,
Knelt down and—driven to distraction—
Implored the gods to take away
Their awful gift of aurifaction.
'Twas hunger that induced remorse;
The king was at the point of starving.