It will pierce through the thickest of walls;
More power it has and may strike more dismay
Than the lightning from heaven that falls.
Through lucre the house of the Argive seer[46] fell:
Philip forced cities’ gates with his gold;
The power of rivals with bribes he could quell:
We know, too, how fleets have been sold.
The increase of wealth ever brings with it care
And hungry ambition for more;
Thus, Mæcenas, O knight with whom none can compare!