Ezra Pound(1885–1972)

XLV ("With Usura")

With Usura8

With usura hath no man a house of good stone

each block cut smooth and well fitting

that design might cover their face,

with usura

hath no man a painted paradise on his church wall

harpes et luthes9

or where virgin receiveth message

and halo projects from incision,

with usura

seeth no man Gonzaga his heirs and his concubines'

no picture is made to endure nor to live with

but it is made to sell and sell quickly

with usura, sin against nature,

is thy bread ever more of stale rags

is thy bread dry as paper,

with no mountain wheat, no strong flour

with usura the line grows thick

with usura is no clear demarcation

and no man can find site for his dwelling.

Stone cutter is kept from his stone

weaver is kept from his loom

with usura

wool comes not to market

sheep bringeth no gain with usura

Usura is a murrain, usuraplague

blunteth the needle in the maid's hand

and stoppeth the spinner's cunning. Pietro Lombardo2

came not by usura

Duccio3 came not by usura

nor Pier della Francesca; Zuan Bellin' not by usura

nor was "La Calunnia4 painted.

Came not by usura Angelico; came not Ambrogio Praedis,

Came no church of cut stone signed: Adamo me fecit.5

Not by usura St Trophime

Not by usura Saint Hilaire,6

Usura rusteth the chisel

It rusteth the craft and the craftsman

It gnaweth the thread in the loom

None learneth to weave gold in her pattern;

Azure hath a canker by usura; cramoisi7 is unbroidered

Emerald findeth no Memling8

Usura slayeth the child in the womb

It stayeth the young man's courting

It hath brought palsey to bed, lyeth

between the young bride and her bridegroom

CNTRA NATURAM9

They have brought whores for Eleusis1

Corpses are set to banquet

at behest of usura.