Gold thou mayest safely touch; but if it stick
Unto thy hands, it woundeth to the quick.
Herbert.
To purchase heaven has gold the power?
Can gold remove the mortal hour?
In life can love be bought with gold?
Are friendship’s pleasures to be sold?
No—all that’s worth a wish—a thought—
Fair virtue gives, unbrib’d, unbought.
Cease then on trash thy hopes to bind,