49. Why doth the man of riches grow

1 Why doth the man of riches grow
To insolence and pride,
To see his wealth and honours flow
With ev'ry rising tide?

2 Why doth he treat the poor with scorn,
Made of the self-same clay,
And boast as though his flesh was born
Of better dust than they?

3 Not all his treasures can procure
His soul a short reprieve,
Redeem from death one guilty hour,
Or make his brother live.

4 Eternal life can ne'er be sold,
The ransom is too high;
Justice will ne'er be brib'd with gold,
That man may never die.

5 He sees the brutish and the wise,
The tim'rous and the brave,
Quit their possessions, close their eyes,
And hasten to the grave.

6 Yet 'tis his inward thought and pride,
My house shall ever stand;
And that my name may long abide
I'll give it to my land."

7 Vain are his thoughts, his hopes are lost,
How soon his mem'ry dies!
His name is buried in the dust
Where his own body lies.

8 This is the folly of their way,
And yet their sons as vain,
Approve the words their fathers say,
And act their works again.

9 Men void of wisdom and of grace,
Tho' honour raise them high,
Live like the beasts, a thoughtless race,
And like the beasts they die.

10 Laid in the grave like silly sheep,
Death triumphs o'er them there,
Till the last trumpet break their sleep
And wakes them in despair.

Part II.

11 Ye sons of pride, that hate the just,
And trample on the poor,
When death has brought you down to dust
Your pomp shall rise no more.

12 The last great day shall change the scene;
When will that hour appear?
When shall the just revive, and reign
O'er all that scorned them here?

13 God will my naked soul receive,
Call'd from the world away,
And break the prison of the grave,
To raise my mould'ring clay.

14 Heav'n is my everlasting home,
Th' inheritance is sure;
Let men of pride their rage resume,
But I'll repine no more.

Text Information
First Line: Why doth the man of riches grow
Language: English
Publication Date: 1789
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