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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AVARICE by GEORGE HERBERT

Poet Analysis

First Line: MONEY, THOU BANE OF BLISS AND SOURCE OF WOE
Last Line: AND, WHILE HE DIGS OUT THEE, FALLS IN THE DITCH.
Subject(s): GREED; AVARICE; CUPIDITY;
MONEY, thou bane of blisse, and source of woe,
Whence com'st thou, that thou art so fresh and fine?
I know thy parentage is base and low:
Man found thee poore and dirtie in a mine.

Surely thou didst so little contribute
To this great kingdome, which thou now hast got,
That he was fain, when thou wert destitute,
To digge thee out of thy dark cave and grot.

Then, forcing thee, by fire he made thee bright:
Nay, thou hast got the face of man; for we
Have with our stamp and seal transferred our right;
Thou art the man, and man but drosse to thee.

Man calleth thee his wealth, who made thee rich;
And, while he digs out thee, falls in the ditch.



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