All--bounteous Heav'n, Castalio cries, <br />With bended Knees, and lifted Eyes, <br />When shall I have the Pow'r to bless, <br />And raise up Merit in Distress? <br /> <br />How do our Hearts deceive us here! <br />He gets ten thousand Pounds a Year. <br />With this the pious Youth is able <br />To build, and plant, and keep a Table. <br />But then the Poor he must not treat: <br />Who asks the Wretch, that wants to eat? <br />Alas! to ease their Woes he wishes; <br />But cannot live without Ten Dishes: <br />Tho' Six would serve as well, 'tis true; <br />But one must live, as others do. <br />He now feels Wants unknown before, <br />Wants still increasing with his Store. <br />The good Castalio must provide <br />Brocade, and Jewels, for his Bride. <br />Her Toilet shines with Plate emboss'd; <br />What Sums her Lace and Linen cost! <br />The Cloaths that must his Person grace, <br />Shine with Embroidery, and Lace. <br />The costly Pride of Persian Looms, <br />And Guido's Paintings, grace his Rooms. <br />His Wealth Castalio will not waste; <br />But must have ev'ry thing in Taste. <br />He's an OEconomist confest; <br />But what he buys, must be the best: <br />For common Use a Set of Plate; <br />Old China, when he dines in State; <br />A Coach and Six, to take the Air; <br />Besides a Chariot, and a Chair. <br />All these important Calls supply'd, <br />Calls of Necessity, not Pride, <br />His Income's regularly spent; <br />He scarcely saves to pay his Rent. <br />No Man alive would do more Good, <br />Or give more freely, if he cou'd. <br />He grieves, whene'er the Wretched sue; <br />But what can poor Castalio do? <br /> <br />Would Heav'n but send ten thousand more, <br />He'd give--just as he did before.<br /><br />Mary Barber<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/an-unanswerable-apology-for-the-rich/
