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The Character of a happy Life.
How
happy is he born and taught,
That serveth not an others will?
VVhose Armour is his honest thought:
And simple Truth his utmost Skill?
That serveth not an others will?
VVhose Armour is his honest thought:
And simple Truth his utmost Skill?
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Whose Passions not his masters are,
Whose soul is still prepar'd for Death;
Untide unto the world, by care
Of Publick fame, or private breath.
Whose soul is still prepar'd for Death;
Untide unto the world, by care
Of Publick fame, or private breath.
Who envies none that Chance doth raise,
Nor Vice hath ever understood;
How deepest wounds are giv'n by praise,
Nor rules of State, but rules of good.
Nor Vice hath ever understood;
How deepest wounds are giv'n by praise,
Nor rules of State, but rules of good.
Who hath his life from rumours freed,
Whose Conscience is his strong retreat:
Whose state can neither flatterers feed,
Nor ruine make Oppressors great.
Whose Conscience is his strong retreat:
Whose state can neither flatterers feed,
Nor ruine make Oppressors great.
Who God doth late and early pray,
More of his grace, then gifts to lend:
And entertains the harmless day
With a Religious Book, or Friend.
More of his grace, then 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.
Of hope to rise, or fear to fall:
Lord of himself, though not of Lands,
And having nothing: yet hath all.
H. W.
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