‘Character of A Happly Life’
Poem By- Sir Henry Wotton (1568-1639)
1
How happy is he born or taught
That serveth not another’s will:
Whose armour is his honest thought,
And simple truth his utmost skill!
2
Whose passions not his master are:
Whose soul is still prepared for death;
Untied unto the world with care
Of princely love or vulgar breath;
3
Who hath his life from rumours freed,
Whose consceience is his strong retreat;
Whose state can neither flatterers feed’
Nor ruin makes oppressors great;
4
Who envies none whom chance doth raise
Nor vice; who never understood
How deepest wounds are given with praise;
Nor rules of state, but rules of good;
5
Who God doth late and early pray
More of his grace than gifts to lend;
Who entertains the harmless day
With a well-chosen book or friend;
6
This man is free from servile bands
Of hope to rise’ or fear to fall;
Lord of himself, though not of lands;
And having nothing, he hath all.
