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The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations/Avarice

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For works with similar titles, see Avarice.

¶ Avarice.

MOney, thou bane of blisse, & sourse of wo,Whence com'st thou, that thou art so fresh and fine?I know thy parentage is base and low:Man found thee poore and dirtie in a mine.
Surely thou didst so little contributeTo this great kingdome, which thou now hast got,That he was fain, when thou wert destitute,To digge thee out of thy dark cave and grot:
Then forcing thee, by fire he made thee bright:Nay, thou hast got the face of man; for weHave with our stamp and seal transferr'd our right:Thou art the man, and man but drosse to thee.
Man calleth thee his wealth, who made thee rich;And while he digs out thee, falls in the ditch.