Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AN INVECTIVE AGAINST GOLD, by ANNE KILLIGREW Poet's Biography First Line: Of all the poisons that the fruitful earth Last Line: Who thus hast caus'd to sin all humane kind. Alternate Author Name(s): Killegrew, Anne Subject(s): Gold | ||||||||
OF all the Poisons that the fruitful Earth E'er yet brought forth, or Monsters she gave Birth, Nought to Mankind has e'er so fatal been, As thou, accursed Gold, their Care and Sin. Methinks I the Advent'rous Merchant see, Ploughing the faithless Seas, in search of thee, His dearest Wife and Children left behind, (His real Wealth) while he, a Slave to th' Wind, Sometimes becalm'd, the Shore with longing Eyes Wishes to see, and what he wishes, Spies: For a rude Tempest wakes him from his Dream, And Strands his Bark by a more sad Extream. Thus, hopless Wretch, is his whole Life-time spent, And though thrice Wreck't, 's no Wiser than he went. Again, I see, the Heavenly Fair despis'd, A Hagg like Hell, with Gold, more highly priz'd; Mens Faith betray'd, their Prince and Country Sold, Their God deny'd, all for the Idol Gold. Unhappy Wretch, who first found out the Oar, What kind of Vengeance rests for thee in store? If Nebats Son, that Israel led astray, Meet a severe Reward at the last Day? Some strange unheard-of Judgement thou wilt find, Who thus hast caus'd to Sin all Humane Kind. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MAN SAW A BALL OF GOLD by RON PADGETT THE VINDICTIVES by ROBERT FROST BARELY COMPOSED by ALICE FULTON NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY by ROBERT FROST MISS KILMANSEGG AND HER PRECIOUS LEG: HER MORAL by THOMAS HOOD THE UNGRATEFUL GARDEN by CAROLYN KIZER SUNKEN GOLD by EUGENE JACOB LEE-HAMILTON THE KLONDIKE by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON UPON THE SAYING THAT MY VERSES WERE MADE BY ANOTHER by ANNE KILLIGREW |
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