Living
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;
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;
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
Ne wish for death, ne fear his might.
Cite this poem
MLA
Howard, Henry, Earl of Surrey. “The Means to attain Happy Life.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/surrey/2/.
Chicago
Howard, Henry, Earl of Surrey. “The Means to attain Happy Life.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/surrey/2/.
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