The title is the famous fragment of a longer quote from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice; "All that glisters is not gold; Often have you heard that told: Many a man his life has sold But my outside to behold: Gilded tombs do worms infold Had you been as wise as bold, Your in limbs, in judgment old, Your answer had not been in'scroll'd Fare you well: your suit is cold. Cold, indeed, and labour lost: Then, farewell, heat and welcome, frost!!"
There are several references to the play, 'The Merchant of Venice': the title, Anthony Belmont (Antonio, the Merchant of Venice), Gratiano, Tom Porter's pen-name (Gratiano, friend to Antonio and Bassanio), Nerissa Norris (Nerissa, Portia's maid)), Dr Bassanio, founder of the group (Bassanio, Antonio's friend), the postcards (Portias's caskets).
"When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding; / Sweet lovers love the spring..." comes from 'As You Like It': Act V Scene 3.
"And let me speak to the yet unknowing world / How these things came about ..." comes from 'Hamlet': Act V Scene 2.
The title, "All that Glisters" comes from 'The Merchant of Venice', Act II Scene 7.