For each ecstatic instant — Money Box

Farthing is a quarter of a penny. Coffer is a money box. This poem describes the feeling of the instant putting a coin into the box.

For each ecstatic instant ¹
We must an anguish pay
In keen and quivering ration
To the ecstasy.

For each beloved hour ⁵
Sharp pittances of years－
Bitter contested farthings－
And Coffers heaped with Tears!

(F.109/J.125)

[1] instant:: the moment coins dropped into a coffer, a money box.
[3] ration:: ratio of pay and ecstasy.
[6] pittance:: inconsiderable money.
[7] farthing:: a quarter of a penny.
[8] Coffer:: a money box, piggy bank. tears:: the sweat due to hard work.

At length he thought he would have a money-box; and into this box he put every farthing that he could well spare from his family expences: ─ The Cottager's Monthly Visitor (1828)