Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, RICHES, by JOSEPH BEAUMONT


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RICHES, by                
First Line: O had I but ten thousand pounds a year!
Last Line: Is erning, thine doth only make thee spend.
Subject(s): God; Greed; Temptation; Wealth; Avarice; Cupidity; Riches; Fortunes


OHAD I but ten thousand pounds a year!
Fool, thou hast more,
Had'st thou that Wish, thy Wealth would make thee swear
That thou wert poor;
And so thou art not now, who hast
Enough to spend: wouldst have enough to waste?

2

Alas thou canst not; had thou all the Ore
Both Indies breed
Twould quite starve Prodagalitie; No store
Knows how to feed
The gulf of that strange Monster, whose
Vast stomach by abundance greater grows.

3

My Lord, with his ten thousand pounds a year
Doth cleerly want
Full twice ten thousand Things which thou canst spare:
His means is scant,
But ample thine, for 'tis confest
That he the richest is, who needeth least.

4

Besides, thou knowest not the charge of such
A large estate:
'Twill spend thee all thy Rest, & cost so much
Of Quiet, that
No honest Beggar thou wilt finde
So needy in Content, as thy poor Minde.

5

Thou must be put to finde so many Men
And Horses for
The service of that proud Estate; and then
Maintain the Warr
At thine own charge; that Warr whereby
Thou must defend & keep thy Credit high.

6

Selfcheated Slave, the more thy Servants are
The more hast thou
Thyself to serve: less costly is the care
Which they bestow
Than thine; their Services sure end
Is erning, thine doth only make thee spend.





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