With usury has no man a good house
made of stone, no paradise on his church wall
With usury the stone cutter is kept from his stone
the weaver is kept from his loom by usura
Wool does not come into market
the peasant does not eat his own grain
the girl's needle goes blunt in her hand
The looms are hushed one after another
ten thousand after ten thousand
Duccio was not by usura
Nor was 'La Calumnia' painted.
Neither was Ambrogio Praedis nor Angelico
had their skill by usura
Nor St. Trophime its cloisters;
Nor St Hilaire its proportion.
Usury rusts the man and his chisel...
Pound, Cantos LI
