EPISTLE III. To Allen Lord Bathurst. OF THE USE OF RICHES. Argument. That it is known to few, most falling into one of the extremes, avarice or profusion.-The point discussed, whether the invention of money has been more commodious or pernicious to mankind.-That riches either to the avaricious or the prodigal, cannot afford happiness, scarcely necessaries. That avarice is an absolute frenzy, without an end or purpose.-Conjectures about the motives of avaricious men. That the conduct of men, with respect to riches, can only be accounted for by the order of Providence, which works the general good out of extremes, and brings all to its great end by perpetual revolutions.-How a miser acts upon principles which appear to him reasonable. How a prodigal does the same.-The due medium and true use of riches.-The Man of Ross.-The fate of the profuse and the covetous, in two examples; both miserable in life and in death.-The story of Sir Balaam. P. WHO shall decide when doctors disagree, But I, who think more highly of our kind, Then careful Heaven supplied two sorts of men, To squander these, and those to hide again. Like doctors thus, when much dispute has pass'd, No grace of Heaven, or token of the' elect; B. What Nature wants, commodious gold be"Tis thus we eat the bread another sows. [stows; P. But how unequal it bestows observe; "Tis thus we riot, while who sow it starve: What Nature wants (a phrase I much distrust) Extends to luxury, extends to lust: Useful I grant, it serves what life requires, P. But lures the pirate, and corrupts the friend. P. But bribes a senate, and the land's betray'd. In vain may heroes fight, and patriots rave, If secret gold sap on from knave to knave. Once, we confess, beneath the patriot's cloak From the crack'd bag the dropping guinea spoke, And jingling down the back-stairs, told the crew, Old Cato is as great a rogue as you.' Bless'd paper-credit! last and best supply! That lends corruption lighter wings to fly! Gold imp'd by thee, can compass hardest things, Can pocket states, can fetch or carry kings; A single leaf shall waft an army o'er, Or ship off senates to some distant shore; A leaf, like Sibyl's, scatter to and fro Our fates and fortunes as the winds shall blow; Pregnant with thousands flits the scrap unseen, And, silent, sells a king or buys a queen. Oh! that such bulky bribes as all might see Still, as of old, encumber'd villany! Could France or Rome divert our brave designs Or water all the quorum ten miles round? [spoil! Poor Avarice one torment more would find, P. What riches give us, let us then inquire: Meat, fire, and clothes. B. What more? P. Meat, clothes, and fire. Is this too little? would you more than live? To some indeed Heaven grants a happier fate Perhaps you think the poor might have their part? 'God cannot love (says Blunt, with tearless eyes) B. Who suffers thus, mere charity should own, Must act on motives powerful, though unknown. P. Some war, some plague or famine, they fore- Ask you why Phryné the whole auction buys? Why she and Sappho raise that monstrous sum?- Wise Peter sees the world's respect for gold, And therefore hopes this nation may be sold. Glorious ambition! Peter, swell thy store, And be what Rome's great Didius was before. The crown of Poland, venal twice an age, To just three millions stinted modest Gage. But nobler scenes Maria's dreams unfold, Hereditary realms and worlds of gold. Congenial souls! whose life one avarice joins, And one fate buries in the' Asturian mines. Much-injured Blunt! why bears he Britain's hate? A wizard told him in these words our fate;• At length corruption, like a general flood, (So long by watchful ministers withstood) Shall deluge all; and avarice, creeping on, Spread like a low-born mist and blot the sun; Statesman and patriot ply alike the stocks, Peeress and butler share alike the box, And judges job, and bishops bite the town, And mighty dukes pack cards for half a crown : See Britain sunk in lucre's sordid charms, [arms!' And France revenged of Anne's and Edward's |