English poem
But in this thankless world, the givers
by Daniel Defoe (1660–1731)
But in this thankless world, the givers Are envied even by the receivers. 'Tis now the cheap and frugal fashion, Rather to hide than pay an obligation. Nay, 'tis much worse than so; It now an artifice doth grow, Wrongs and outrages they do, Lest men should think we owe.