Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.
Princes and lords may flourish or may fade,—
A breath can make them, as a breath has made;[396:1]
But a bold peasantry, their country's pride,
When once destroy'd, can never be supplied.
The Deserted Village. Line 51.
His best companions, innocence and health;
And his best riches, ignorance of wealth.
The Deserted Village. Line 61.