Living

The Means to attain Happy Life

by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey 1517–1547

Living

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.

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/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey