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Thomas Cole's poetry

the collected poems of America's foremost painter of the Hudson River School reflecting his feelings for nature and the romantic spirit of the Nineteenth Century

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31

1.
The Times

The Times in this old beldame earth,
Of trial, trouble, and vexation;
Have been the subject, and the birth;
Of many a tiresome conversation.
When I was young the times were bad;
And desp'rate bad each person says:
(And oft I heard that cry so sad)
That money's money now a days.
When I was more observant grown
(I think I heard somebody say)
Such times as these were never known
And money's money every day.
Now I am older; grown more wise;
And things yet keep in their old ways,
This Truth I think around us flies;
There is no money now a days.
Steubenville 1819