University of Virginia Library

Dost court abundance for the sake of peace?
Learn, and lament thy self-defeated scheme:
Riches enable to be richer still;
And richer still what mortal can resist?
Thus Wealth (a cruel task-master) enjoins
New toils, succeeding toils, an endless train!
And murders Peace, which taught it first to shine.
The poor are half as wretched as the rich,
Whose proud and painful privilege it is
At once to bear a double load of woe;
To feel the stings of Envy and of Want,
Outrageous Want, both Indies cannot cure.