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Poems, and phancies

written By the Thrice Noble, Illustrious, And Excellent Princess The Lady Marchioness of Newcastle [i.e. Margaret Cavendish]. The Second Impression, much Altered and Corrected

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Of Riches, or Covetousness.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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Of Riches, or Covetousness.

VVhat will not Riches in abundance do,
And make the Mind of Man submit unto?
They Bribe out Virtue from her Strongest hold,
And make the Coward Valorous and Bold;
They corrupt Chastity, melt Thoughts of Ice,
And Bashfull Modesty they do Intice:

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They make the Humble proud, and Meek to swell,
Destroy all Loyalty, make Hearts rebell;
They do untie the Knots of Friendship fast,
All natural Affections forth they cast;
They Kill the Innocent, do Hearts divide,
Buy Conscience out, and every Cause decide;
They make that Man doth venture Life and Health,
So much desir'd and dear to him is VVealth;
They buy out Heav'n, and do cast Souls to Hell;
For Man to get this Dross, his God will Sell.