The golden Bait the Devil spread,
I caught with greedy Jaws;
With Usury I sore oppress'd
All that came in my Paws:
I hated am, by ev'ry one,
For my Oppression;
Claudero too points out to view
My Conversation.
May Curses roll upon his Head,
For he hath vex'd me much,
And, if I durst, I would revenge
Myself upon all such:
But Cowardice and Misery
My Bosom does possess;
To Backbiting I'll have recourse
As the most safe Redress.
I'm strong indeed, as a Cart-horse:
But tim'rous, as a Hare;
Yet I can bray, like any Ass,
When Danger is not there.
Sweet, sweet to me is Annualrent,
I seize the very Day;
When Bills are due they must renew,
Int'rest must Int'rest pay.
On Interest my Soul is fix'd,
I cannot yet repent,
A Heaven to me it is indeed
My Sweetest Annualrent.
My Kin I don't regard a Pin,
I love my mighty Store,
Grant, Jove, my Cash I may retain,
For now and evermore.