Gold Not Gold

What untamed madness? What great pride of mind
Possesses Eurybates, and makes him a Ptocoponus a "poor-laborer" or drudge?
The sacred hunger for gold, by which he has driven the world mad,
The vast hope for profit, the base greed.
"Certainly this is what matters: money must be sought first,
Virtue after coins; so teaches the evil-persuading Art."
What spirits does this wicked love of possessing bring forth?
What monsters does it create, once it has seized a man?
O empty minds of men, possessed by Gold!
He likens it to cattle, while he lacks reason.
Circe did not mix such cups, nor Calypso such evil philtres,
As this man has sold to the foolish crowd.
Go, act, Gwynne, put aside the proud and wild Cinisloes ash-sifters or furnace-stokers,
For whom no theft is enough for their plunder.
Break all delays; take up your arms bravely,
And crush the Chrysopoeians gold-makers/alchemists in triumphant victory.

What is this? Gold. Gold? How? Is it not fluid?
By Zeus, and it is a poem. A poem? Who is the creator?
The great Theophrastian physician, Anthony.
Without any other mixture, most simple.

It is said to be very useful,
Simple, unmixed, and not adulterated,
Fit to heal all dispositions,
Those contrary to nature. He is clearly lying.

Gold that is solidified is a most excellent possession;
So, if not solidified, it is worth nothing.
The "poetic" gold reveals nonsense.
Therefore, do not set your heart upon it.