Riddle

I note a strange thing in all lands:
Yellow and green its hue doth shine;
It has not feet nor eyes nor hands,
Yet lives 'mong men and may incline
Either with rich or poor to dwell.
It binds men oft, though not with bands:
It sails the Danube and the Rhine;
Lordly raiment it commands,
And with princes drinketh wine.
It slinks where ladies are, as well.
It dieth here and waxeth there; it stirs unceasingly
To the first maiden did it slink upon a tree.
The fourth part of the world it slew,
And still doth slay
Fools every day,
A steer sans horn.
It hath reft mortals not a few
Of bliss, life, soul, and made them mourn—
What is this creature, can you tell?