Classic Poem

Oh, carve this coin with the Golden Snake
Which flashes round the earth with glittering scale.
In writhing circles of the Zodiac
It leaves among the stars its brazen trail.
Now gliding through our earthly almanac
In sinuous weaving and with lustres pale;
And now around a coin in circling track
The Ancient Serpent swalloweth its tail.
In wreaths of splendor and with jewelled eyes
It drags its glittering belly on the ground.
Tear not its metals from the dust—that prize
Bears in its fangs a poison too profound—
But seek the brazen serpent lifted up,
Whence healing pours as from a magic cup.