So, day by day, and month by month, and year by year, he gained;

And grew grey, and waxed great: for money brought him all things.

All things?—verily, not all; the kernel of the nut is lacking,—

His mind was a stranger to content, and as for Peace, he knew her not:

Luxuries palled upon his palate, and his eyes were satiate with purple;

He could coin much gold, but buy no happiness with it.

And on a day, a day of dread, in the heat of inordinate ambition,

When he threw with a gambler's hand, to lose or to double his possessions,

The chance hit him,—he had speculated ill,—and men began to whisper;—

Those he trusted, failed; and their usuries had bribed him deeply;