Medulla Poetarum Romanorum Or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed under proper Heads,) Of such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, as may best serve to shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker |
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Happiness.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
465
Happiness.
My Fortune might I form at Will,My Canvas Zephyrs soft should fill
With gentle Breath, left ruder Gales
Crack the Main-Yard, or burst the Sails.
By Winds that temperately blow,
The Bark should pass secure and slow:
Nor scare me, leaning on her Side,
But smoothly cleave th' unruffled Tide.—
You're wrong, my Friend, the Life you guess
To be so, is not Happiness.
With Gems to see your Fingers shine;
On Beds of Tortoise-shell, so fine,
Your Limbs to lay; in Down to sink:
And out of golden Vessels drink:
To loll on Chairs of Tyrian Dye,
And feast on rich Variety:
To think your Granaries abound,
With Harvests reap'd from Lybian Ground:
My Friend, you're wrong, if you believe
Such Things true Happiness can give.
But, if the Soul, despising Fear,
Can all Events, unruffled, bear:
If it is neither vain, nor proud,
Nor courts the Favour of the Crowd:
If Passion Reason can asswage,
Nor ever rises into Rage:
Whoe'er attains this happy State,
Fortune commands, and smiles at Fate.—
Can all Events, unruffled, bear:
If it is neither vain, nor proud,
Nor courts the Favour of the Crowd:
If Passion Reason can asswage,
Nor ever rises into Rage:
Whoe'er attains this happy State,
Fortune commands, and smiles at Fate.—
Pleasantest Companion, this,
This in Life is Happiness:
Early an Estate to gain,
Left, not purchas'd by your Pain:
Grounds that pay the Tiller's Hire:
Hearths with ever during Fire:
Safe from Law t' enjoy your own:
Seldom view the busy Town:
Health, with mod'rate Vigour joyn'd:
True well grounded Peace of Mind:
Friends your Equals in Degree:
Prudent plain Simplicity:
Easy Converse Mirth afford:
Artless-Plenty fill the Board:
Temp'rate Joy your Ev'nings bless,
Free from Care and from Excess:
Short the Night by Sleep be made:
Chaste, not cheerless be the Bed:
Chuse to be but what you are:
Dying neither wish nor fear.—
This in Life is Happiness:
Early an Estate to gain,
Left, not purchas'd by your Pain:
Grounds that pay the Tiller's Hire:
Hearths with ever during Fire:
Safe from Law t' enjoy your own:
Seldom view the busy Town:
Health, with mod'rate Vigour joyn'd:
True well grounded Peace of Mind:
467
Prudent plain Simplicity:
Easy Converse Mirth afford:
Artless-Plenty fill the Board:
Temp'rate Joy your Ev'nings bless,
Free from Care and from Excess:
Short the Night by Sleep be made:
Chaste, not cheerless be the Bed:
Chuse to be but what you are:
Dying neither wish nor fear.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |