The Means to attain Happy Life
Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. 1516–47
MARTIAL, the things that do attain | |
| The happy life be these, I find:— | |
| The richesse left, not got with pain; | |
| The fruitful ground, the quiet mind; | |
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| The equal friend; no grudge, no strife; | 5 |
| No charge of rule, nor governance; | |
| Without disease, the healthful life; | |
| The household of continuance; | |
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| The mean diet, no delicate fare; | |
| True wisdom join'd with simpleness; | 10 |
| The night dischargèd of all care, | |
| Where wine the wit may not oppress. | |
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| The faithful wife, without debate; | |
| Such sleeps as may beguile the night: | |
| Contented with thine own estate | 15 |
| Ne wish for death, ne fear his might. |
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Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
