l. [112]. rich-ored driftings. The sand of the river in which gold was to be found.
[Page 57]. l. [124]. lazar, leper, or any wretched beggar; from the parable of Dives and Lazarus.
stairs, steps on which they sat to beg.
l. [125]. red-lin'd accounts, vividly picturing their neat account-books, and at the same time, perhaps, suggesting the human blood for which their accumulation of wealth was responsible.
l. [130]. gainful cowardice. A telling expression for the dread of loss which haunts so many wealthy people.
l. [133]. hawks . . . forests. As a hawk pounces on its prey, so they fell on the trading-vessels which put into port.
ll. [133-4]. the untired . . . lies. They were always ready for any dishonourable transaction by which money might be made.
l. [134]. ducats. Italian pieces of money worth about 4s. 4d. Cf. Shylock, Merchant of Venice, ii. vii. 15, 'My ducats.'
l. [135]. Quick . . . away. They would undertake to fleece unsuspecting strangers in their town.
[Page 58]. l. [137]. ledger-men. As if they only lived in their account-books. Cf. l. [142].