Putnam's Monthly/Volume 2/Inscription for the Back of a Bank-Note

by Anonymous

INSCRIPTION FOR THE BACK OF A BANK-NOTE.

Ούδὲν γὰρ ἀνθρώποισιν οἷον ἄργυρος
Κακὸν νόμισμ᾿ ἔβλαστε.

Sophocles.

I.

BANK-note—foul note! Industry's curse;
 Ghost of coin, that mocks at toil;
 Pictured wealth, that chance may spoil,
 Rogues may stamp, and handling soil;
 Spider, weaving credit's coil;
Bank-note—foul note! touch not my purse!

II.

Bank-note—blest note! Trade's healthy nurse:
 Key to stores of treasured gold;
 Making timid business bold,
 Bringing both to young and old
 All that home and heart can hold;
Bank-note—blest note! Come to my purse!

III.

Bank-note—curst note! Emblem of evil;
 Seed of henbane to love's life;
 Spur of hate and deadly strife;
 Rust of ties 'twixt man and wife;
 Whetstone of the bandit's knife:
Bank-note—curst note! Go to the devil!

IV.

Bank-note—sweet note! Emblem of power;
 Giving youthful charms to age;
 Making fools seem strangely sage;
 Winning, despite critic's rage,
 Puffs and glory by the page;
Bank-notes—sweet notes! Come in a shower!