Therefore, if at great things thou wouldest arrive,

Get riches first, get wealth, and treasure heap,—

Not difficult, if thou hearken to me.

Riches are mine, fortune is in my hand;

They whom I favour thrive in wealth amain, 430

While virtue, valour, wisdom, sit in want.'

To whom thus Jesus patiently replied:

'Yet wealth without these three is impotent

To gain dominion, or to keep it gained;

Witness those ancient empires of the earth, 435