52
AMYNTAS.
No; soon he would be seized with pallid fear,
And soon the coward would desert his mistress;
Hurried away by ignominious flight.
I know I am not ugly; nor dost thou
Despise me for my person and my face.—
No; 'tis because I'm poor—dire lust of gold!
The tyrant reigns with universal sway,
Is not confined to the rapacious city,
It reaches stiller life, it haunts the village,
It chases slumber from the peaceful cottage,
And spreads it's influence o'er the whole creation.
This would be justly named the age of gold;
For nought but gold avails; and without gold
Life stagnates; friendless, and deserted man
Dies of the frozen gripe of penury.
Even I, a god, feel poverty's effects.
Accursed be he who first set love to sale!
Cursed be his ashes! ne'er may nymph or swain
In passing, pray the gods for his quietus,
Or say—"Light lie the flowery turf on thee!"
And soon the coward would desert his mistress;
Hurried away by ignominious flight.
I know I am not ugly; nor dost thou
Despise me for my person and my face.—
No; 'tis because I'm poor—dire lust of gold!
The tyrant reigns with universal sway,
Is not confined to the rapacious city,
It reaches stiller life, it haunts the village,
It chases slumber from the peaceful cottage,
And spreads it's influence o'er the whole creation.
This would be justly named the age of gold;
For nought but gold avails; and without gold
Life stagnates; friendless, and deserted man
Dies of the frozen gripe of penury.
Even I, a god, feel poverty's effects.
Accursed be he who first set love to sale!
Cursed be his ashes! ne'er may nymph or swain
In passing, pray the gods for his quietus,
Or say—"Light lie the flowery turf on thee!"
But
