OF all the Poisons that the fruitful Earth <br />E'er yet brought forth, or Monsters she gave Birth, <br />Nought to Mankind has e'er so fatal been, <br />As thou, accursed Gold, their Care and Sin. <br /> <br /> Methinks I the Advent'rous Merchant see, <br />Ploughing the faithless Seas, in search of thee, <br />His dearest Wife and Children left behind, <br />(His real Wealth) while he, a Slave to th' Wind, <br />Sometimes becalm'd, the Shore with longing Eyes <br />Wishes to see, and what he wishes, Spies: <br />For a rude Tempest wakes him from his Dream, <br />And Strands his Bark by a more sad Extream. <br />Thus, hopless Wretch, is his whole Life-time spent, <br />And though thrice Wreck't, 's no Wiser than he went. <br /> <br /> Again, I see, the Heavenly Fair despis'd, <br />A Hagg like Hell, with Gold, more highly priz'd; <br />Mens Faith betray'd, their Prince and Country Sold, <br />Their God deny'd, all for the Idol Gold. <br /> <br /> Unhappy Wretch, who first found out the Oar, <br />What kind of Vengeance rests for thee in store? <br />If Nebats Son, that Israel led astray, <br />Meet a severe Reward at the last Day? <br />Some strange unheard-of Judgement thou wilt find, <br />Who thus hast caus'd to Sin all Humane Kind.<br /><br />Anne Killigrew<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/an-invective-against-gold/
