But one thing to me passing strange doth appear: Since the wisdom of man is so bright and so clear, How comes there such jarring and warring to be In the world betwixt Riches and Poverty? RICHES. That point we’ll discuss without passion or fear With the aim of instructing the listeners here; And haply some few who instruction require May profit derive like the bee from the briar. Man as thou knowest, in his generation Is a type of the world and of all the creation; Difference there’s none in the manner of birth ’Twixt the lowliest hinds and the lords of the earth. The world which the same thing as man we account In one place is sea, in another is mount; A part of it rock, and a part of it dale— God’s wisdom has made every place to avail. There exist precious treasures of every kind Profoundly in earth’s quiet bosom enshrin’d; There’s searching about them, and ever has been, And by some they are found, and by some never seen. With wonderful wisdom the Lord God on high Has contriv’d the two lights which exist in the sky; The sun’s hot as fire, and its ray bright as gold, But the moon’s ever pale, and by nature is cold. The sun, which resembles a huge world of fire, Would burn up full quickly creation entire Save the moon with its temp’rament cool did assuage Of its brighter companion the fury and rage. Now I beg you the sun and the moon to behold, The one that’s so bright, and the other so cold, And say if two things in creation there be Better emblems of Riches and Poverty. POVERTY. In manner most brief, yet convincing and clear, You have told the whole truth to my wond’ring ear, And I see that ’twas God, who in all things is fair, Has assign’d us the forms, in this world which we bear. In the sight of the world doth the wealthy man seem Like the sun which doth warm everything with its beam; Whilst the poor needy wight with his pitiable case Resembles the moon which doth chill with its face. RICHES. You know that full oft, in their course as they run, An eclipse cometh over the moon or the sun; Certain hills of the earth with their summits of pride The face of the one from the other do hide. The sun doth uplift his magnificent head, And illumines the moon, which were otherwise dead, Even as Wealth from its station on high, Giveth work and provision to Poverty. POVERTY. I know, and the thought mighty sorrow instils, The sins of the world are the terrible hills An eclipse which do cause, or a dread obscuration, To one or another in every vocation. RICHES.