Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/218

Hoarders are slaves To work as hoppled slaves of gold,
Which they in iron-bound coffers hold
Imprisoned; nay! by it are held
In bondage, all their joyance quelled;5480
Wretchedly live they as a toad
That writhes beneath the harrow’s goad.
What else should be the aim and end
Of gathering than the pelf to spend?
Alas! to this clear truth are blind
These graspers, though they needs behind
Must leave their riches when they’re dead,
To be once more out-scattered
By heirs and kindred, and small good
Will have of their vile niggardhood.5490
Moreover, ’tis in nowise sure
That through their own short day will dure
Their much-loved hoard, for who can say
What chance may snatch their wealth away?

Those men to Riches do great wrong
Who kill the uses that belong
To them by Nature’s gift. Distress
’Tis theirs to aid; their usefulness
Should not lie dead, for God hath sent
Earth’s wealth for mankind’s betterment.5500

But Riches do not love to be
Diverted from their destiny,
And signal vengeance take on those
Whose folly holds them hard and close.
They follow surely on their track
As sleuth-hounds, nor their vengeance slack