LII. Edward Hake

O GOLD! that goest in and out,

That rul’st and raignest at thy will;

O 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.