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Henry Howard

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 discharged 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.

About the poet
Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey
 
By the same poet
Description of Spring
Complaint of the Absence of Her Lover being upon the Sea
 
Related books
Henry Howard at amazon.co.uk

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