Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of King James the First. 1847. No Gold, No Goodnesse LII. Edward Hake
O GOLD! 1 that goest in and out, That rul’st and raignest at thy will; O thou, that bringest things about, Why art thou absent from us still? But O, our God! O where art thou, 5 That suff’rest gold to conquer now? You earthly men, who unto men Nought give where you can nothing take, I speake to you; regard me then: Your gold and goods your god you make, 10 For whereas gold is, you are won, But where gold is not, you have done. Be honest, learned, skilfull, wise; Be what thou canst,—if gold thou want Thou maist lie still, thou shalt not rise, 15 For nothing proves where gold is skant: For gold it is that doth the deed, But nothing prospers where is need. What shall I then lie downe and die? Alas! I cannot when I would; 20 Or shall I sit me downe and crie, And with my teares my griefe unfold? Lament and crie, do what thou wilt, Thy cause is lost for lack of gilt. Yet say I not that all men looke 25 To be rewarded of their deed; But this I say, that few men brooke To helpe a man that is in need; For tho’ he write with Homer’s inke, Yet go he shall, before he drinke. 30
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