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 But as he trod to grandeur's pinnacle, With eagle eye and step that never faltered, The busy tongue of scandal dared to tell That cash was scarce with him, and credit altered; And while he stood the envy of beholders, The Bank Directors grinned, and shrugged their shoulders.

And when these, the Lord Burleighs of the minute, Shake their sage heads, and look demure and holy, Depend upon it there is something in it; For whether born of wisdom or of folly, Suspicion is a being whose fell power Blights every thing it touches, fruit and flower.

Some friends (they were his creditors) once hinted About retrenchment and a day of doom; He thanked them, as no doubt they kindly meant it, And made this speech when they had left the room: "Of all the curses upon mortals sent, One's creditors are the most impudent;

"Now I am one who knows what he is doing, And suits exactly to his means his ends;