How quickly nature falls into revolt When gold becomes her object! Shakespeare.King Henry IV., Part II. Act IV. Scene 4. (The King, on his son Prince Henry having removed the crown.)
O cursed lust of gold! when for thy sake The fool throws up his interest in both worlds; First starved in this, then damnd in that to come. Blair.The Grave, Line 247.
All that glisters is not gold. Shakespeare.Merchant of Venice, Act II. Scene 7. (The skull in one of Portias caskets.) Spenser.The Fairy Queen, Book II. Canto 8, Line 14.
Stronger than thunders winged force All-powerful gold can speed its course; Through watchful guards its passage make, And loves through solid walls to break. Francis.Horace, Ode XVI. Lines 11, 14.
Tis gold which buys admittance;and tis gold Which makes the true man killd, and saves the thief; Nay, sometimes hangs both thief and true man; What can it not do, and undo? Shakespeare.Cymbeline, Act II. Scene 3. (Cloten bribing Imogenes attendant.)
To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice, or add another hue Unto the rainbow, or with taper-light To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, Is wasteful, and ridiculous excess. Shakespeare.King John, Act IV. Scene 2. (Salisbury to the King on his being crowned a second time.)