Friends of Fortune

It is simply because he is rich.

That is what vexes me

I have endless friends

who are not my friends,

so much as the friends

of my income.

They do not trouble to inquire

as to my antecedents,

what I am, or where I come from

is of no importance

Neither are they concerned

in how I live or what I do

whether I am sick or well,

happy or unhappy,

is equally with them a matter

of difference.

If they knew more about me,

It would perhaps be better

In the long run.

But they don’t want to know,

There aims are simple and concealed

They wish to make as much advantage

to themselves by their acquaintance

with me as possible.