"Earth gets its price for what Earth gives us, 

The beggar is taxed for a corner to die in,

The priest hath his fee who comes and shrives us,

We bargain for the graves we lie in;

At the devil's booth are all things sold,

Each ounce of dross costs its ounce of gold;

For a cap and bells our lives we pay.

Bubbles we buy with a whole soul's tasking,

'Tis heaven alone that is given away,

'Tis only God may be had for the asking,

No price is set on the lavish summer;

June may be had by the poorest comer." 

~ James Russell Lowell, The Vision of Sir Launfal, 1848