Sonnet 58. In former times, such as had store of coin

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1605 (No. 58), and in all later editions.]

IN former times, such as had store of coin,

In wars at home, or when for conquests bound,

For fear that some their treasure should purloin,

Gave it, to keep, to Spirits within the ground:

And to attend it, them as strongly tied,

Till they returned. Home when they never came,

Such as by Art to get the same have tried,

From the strong Spirit, by no means force the same.

Nearer men come, that further flies away!

Striving to hold it strongly in the deep.

Even as this Spirit, so you alone do play

With those rich beauties, Heaven gives you to keep,

Pity so left to the coldness of your blood,

Not to avail you, nor do others good.