Classic Poem

Ah! my golden guineas bright,
Whither have ye taken flight?

Are ye with the golden fishes
Which rejoicing in the river
Dive and rise and dive for ever?

Are ye with the golden blossoms,
Which, upon an emerald lawn,
Sparkle in the dews of dawn?

Are ye with the golden birdies,
Which, berayed in shining ether,
Float thro' purple air together?

Are ye with the golden planets,
Which in brilliant armies bright
Smile from heaven through all the night?

Ah! my bright and golden guineas,
Swim not in the stream hard by,
Sparkle not in meadow's dew,
Hover not in ether's blue,
Smile not from the shining sky.

Ah! those Manichaeans, rot 'em,
In their greedy claws have got 'em!