Percy Bysshe Shelley

Commerce has set the mark of selfishness,
The signet of its all-enslaving power
Upon a shining ore, read more

Commerce has set the mark of selfishness,
The signet of its all-enslaving power
Upon a shining ore, and called it gold;
Before whose image bow the vulgar great,
The vainly rich, the miserable proud,
The mob of peasants, nobles, priests, and kings,
And with blind feelings reverence the power
That grinds them to the dust of misery.
But in the temple of their hireling hearts
Gold is a living god, and rules in scorn
All earthly things but virtue.

Peter was dull; he was at first
Dull;--Oh, so dull--so very dull!
Whether he talked, wrote, or read more

Peter was dull; he was at first
Dull;--Oh, so dull--so very dull!
Whether he talked, wrote, or rehearsed--
Still with his dulness was he cursed--
Dull--beyond all conception--dull.

It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to
open it and remove all doubt.

It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to
open it and remove all doubt.

Ay, many flowering islands lie
In the waters of wide Agony.

Ay, many flowering islands lie
In the waters of wide Agony.

O, white innocence,
That thou shouldst wear the mask of guilt to hide
Thine awful and serenest read more

O, white innocence,
That thou shouldst wear the mask of guilt to hide
Thine awful and serenest countenance
From those who know thee not!