Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. I. Early Poetry: Chaucer to Donne
Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (15171547)The Means to Attain Happy Life
[Translated from Martial]
M
The happy life be these, I find;
The riches left, not got with pain;
The fruitful ground, the quiet mind.
No charge of rule nor governance;
Without disease, the healthful life;
The household of continuance.
True wisdom joined with simpleness;
The night discharged of all care,
Where wine the wit may not oppress.
Such sleeps as may beguile the night:
Contented with thine own estate,
Ne wish for death, ne fear his might.