AD C. SALLUSTIUM CRISPUM
Horace: Book II, Ode 2
_”Nellus argento color est avaris.”_
Sallust, I know you of old,
How you hate the sight of gold–
“Idle ingots that encumber
Mother Earth”–I’ve got your number.
Why is Proculeius known
From Elmira to Malone?
For his money? Don’t upset me!
For his love of folks–you get me?
Choke the Rockefeller yen
For the clink of iron men!
Happiness it will not mint us,
Take it from your Uncle Quintus.
Fancy food and wealthy drink
Raise Gehenna with a gink;
Pastry, terrapin, and cheeses
Bring on gout and swell diseases.
Phraates upon the throne
Old King Cyrus used to own
Fails to hoodwink or deceive me,
Cyrus was some king, believe me!
Get me right: a man’s-size prince
Knows that money is a quince.
When they see the Yellow Taffy,
Reg’lar Princes don’t go daffy.
(Franklin Pierce Adams)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Sense & Perception Poems, Kings & Queens Poems, Happiness Poems, Gold Poems, Money & Wealth Poems, Belief & Faith Poems, Books Poems, Medicine & Medical PoemsBased on Keywords: gout, pastry, ingots, taffy, encumber, quince, reg, lar, cyrus, cheeses, terrapin