Has choice gold gone suddenly dim?
Could precious gems lose their luster?
Poetry’s rhymes are finer than jewels
and pour forth now but have no buyer!
Has God made hearts too fat for wisdom?
Or kept the rich man’s eyes from seeing?
Daily he chases after lead,
loading his empty chests with nothing
despising song’s crystal lines
which hold more worth than all his wealth,
for they can tell the generations
of grace and greatness after death.
How utterly foolish the idiot is
killing his spirit to fill his coffers.
He leaves his legacy to a stranger.
His riches will not bring him honor.