Nocturnall Lucubrations or, Meditations Divine and Morall. Whereunto are added Epigrams and Epitaphs: written by Rob: Chamberlain |
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On the sweetnesse of Contentation.
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 | Nocturnall Lucubrations |  |
On the sweetnesse of Contentation.
To his kind and loving friend, Mr Henry Prigg, Citizen of Exeter.
The world still gazeth on the glittering shew
Of Scepters, Crowns, and Diadems, but few
Consider truely the tempestuous cares,
And tumbling troubles of the State affaires.
Honour's the spur that pricks th'ambitious mind,
And makes it puffe and swel with th'empty wind
Of self conceit: But yet me thinks I see
A state more full of sweet security.
The russet Farmer, more contentment yeelds
Beholds upon the pleasant fertile banks,
Wise Natures flowrie wonders in their ranks.
And when the halfe part of the day is spent,
His wife her basket brings, they with content
Do both sit down by some sweet strugling Spring
And make a Feast, whilst 'bout his table sing
The chirping birds; he when the day is past,
Home to his children, and his wife makes haste:
The children joy to see their father there;
The father joyes to see his children deare:
Then they begin to him their pleasant prattle,
One shewes his pins, another brings his rattle.
With these contents the good man's over-joy'd,
When thus he sees his deare affections cloid,
Whil'st others toile for honour, and in vaine
O then thou great Commander of the skyes,
That dings downe pride, and makes the poor man rise,
Let them that will dote on these gilded toyes,
Let me account it chiefest of my joyes
T' enjoy a meane estate, and nothing more,
If't be thy pleasure that I still be poore.
Give me this sweet content, that I may die
A patient servant to thy Majestie.
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