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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  41. The Means to attain Happy Life

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. 1516–47

41. The Means to attain Happy Life

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; 
 
The equal friend; no grudge, no strife;         5
  No charge of rule, nor governance; 
Without disease, the healthful life; 
  The household of continuance; 
 
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. 
 
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.