In former times such as had store of coin, <br />In wars at home, or when for conquests bound, <br />For fear that some their treasure should purloin, <br />Gave it to keep to spirits within the ground, <br />And to attend it them as strongly tied <br />Till they return'd; home when they never came, <br />Such as by art to get the same have tried <br />From the strong Spirit by no means force the same; <br />Nearer men come, that further flies away, <br />Striving to hold it strongly in the deep. <br />E'en as this Spirit, so you alone do play <br />With those rich beauties Heav'n gives you to keep; <br />Pity, so left to the coldness of your blood, <br />Not to avail you, nor do the others good.<br /><br />Michael Drayton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sonnet-lviii-in-former-times/
