But it is true that he [Vladimir Putin] has managed to pull off a Schröderisation (buying politicians, businessmen, etc.) of Europe.

He went to London, though he would have preferred remaining in the country; he gave a grand fête of some description or other every year, though he hated the noise and confusion; he filled his house with company, though his habits were even unsocial: in short, his whole life was one succession of sacrifices, but they were sacrifices without merit—they were the sacrifices of weakness, not of strength.

Indeed, currency would be more effective for not being gold and silver but fiduciary paper money.

Verses 15–16, where the first sexameter is repeated, add:[…]