How happy is he born and taught That serveth not another's will; Whose armor is his honest thought, And simple truth his utmost skill! Whose passions not his masters are; Whose soul is still prepared for death, Not tied unto the world with care Of public fame or private breath; Who envies none that chance doth raise, Or vice; who never understood How deepest wounds are given by praise, Nor rules of state, but rules of good; Who hath his life from rumors freed; Whose conscience is his strong retreat; Whose state can neither flatterers feed, Nor ruin make accusers great; Who God doth late and early pray More of his grace than gifts to lend, And entertains the harmless day With a well-chosen book or friend,-- This man is freed from servile bands Of hope to rise, or fear to fall; Lord of himself, though not of lands; And, having nothing, yet hath all. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOW BAROMETER by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES AMORETTI: 19 by EDMUND SPENSER THE HAYLOFT by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON AT LORD'S [CRICKET GROUND] by FRANCIS THOMPSON TO ONE WHO DIED LAST YEAR by ANNA EMILIA BAGSTAD |