Thoughts 9: Worldly Success
Worldly Prosperity is often less
A proof of having than of wanting sense;
And most is thwarted by the noble excess
Of Wit, Love, Valor, or Benevolence.—
I know a bloodless Thing at whose expense
Man ne’er rejoiced, nor Woman; in the guess
And careful feel of his mere Selfishness
More mathematic than a Spider;—hence,
Although in Look unsightly as an Elf,
Nor favoured otherwise, and aught but clever,
Nothing but Death shall cut him short of pelf!
The instinct of the Brute may err; but never
Might even Passion from its Object sever
A thorough Worldling’s providence for Self.
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