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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AVARICE by MOLIERE

Poem Explanation

First Line: AS AVARICE GROWS, ALL VICES ELSE DEPART
Last Line: CAN CHARM OUR SENSES, AND OUR SOUL ENTHRAL.

AS Avarice grows, all vices else depart;
The care of hoarding wholly fills the heart.
Who lives for this, in this shall pleasure find,
And this alone shall satisfy the mind.
Beg of a friend, he doubts or says you nay;
Gold's the true friend that never turns away.
Hoarding's a pleasure well worth all the rest--
To know that all we want may be possest;
To have the means our soul doth satisfy;
All that I want I have the power to buy,
And that's enough. Some noble house I see;
Money can buy one better still for me.
I see a charming woman. Well, I say,
My gold could win her, and content I stay.
In short, all things the world doth chiefly prize
My coffers hold; I have them 'neath my eyes
And 'neath my hand. Thus Avarice proffers all;
Can charm our senses, and our soul enthral.



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