Book IV, 84: To my Friend

Would'st thou be prosp'rous, tho the bēded brow
Of Fortune threaten thee? He teach thee how:
Call home thy dearest wishes, and recall
Thy hopes; Expect the worst that can befall:
If come; thy heart will be the more secure,
The lesse amaz'd, and abler to endure:
If it come not, Expectance is no losse;
Perchance it armes thee for another Crosse:
Thus wisely sheltred under this reliefe,
Thy Ioy shall be the lesse; and lesse, thy Griefe.