poetry

THE CHARACTER OF A HAPPY LIFE:

SIR HENRY WOTTON:

How happy is he born or taught

That serveth not another's will

Whose armor is his honest thought

And simple truth his utmost skill!

Whose passions not his masters are.

Whose soul is still prepared for death

united unto the world by care

Of public fame, or private breath.

Who envies none that chance doth raise,

Nor vice: who never understood

How deepest wounds are given by praise,

Nor rules of state, but rules good:

Who hath his life from rumors freed:

Whose conscience is his strong retreat:

Whose state can neither flatterers feed"

Nor ruin make oppressors great.

Who God doth late and early pray,

More of his grace than gifts to lend.

And entertains the harmless day

With a religious book or friend!

This man is freed from servile bands

Of hope to rise, or fear to fall,

Lord of himself, though not of lands!

And having nothing, yet hath all........