O gold ! that goest in and out,
That rul'st and raignest at thy will;
thou, that bringest things about,
Why art thou absent from us still ?
But O, our God ! O where art thou,
That suff'rest gold to conquer now ?

You earthly men, who unto men
Nought give where you can nothing take,
I speake to you ; regard me then :
Your gold and goods your god you make,
For whereas gold is, you are won,
But where gold is not, you have done.

Be honest, learned, skilfull, wise;
Be what thou canst,—if gold thou want
Thou maist lie still, thou shalt not rise,
For nothing proves where gold is skant
For gold it is that doth the deed,
But nothing prospers where is need.

What shall I then lie downe and die ?
Alas ! I cannot when I would ;
Or shall I sit me downe and crie,
And with my teares my griefe unfold ?
Lament and crie, do what thou wilt,
Thy cause is lost for lack of gilt.

Yet say I not that all men looke
To be rewarded of their deed;
But this I say, that few men brooke
To helpe a man that is in need;
For tho he write with Homer's inke,
Yet go he shall, before he drinke.