Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517–47). The Poetical Works. 1880.
Songs and SonnetsThe Means to attain happy Life
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 join’d 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.