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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONG by ANNE FINCH

First Line: WOULD WE ATTAIN THE HAPPIEST STATE
Last Line: OR CAN ON EARTH BE FOUND.

Would we attain the happiest state
That is design'd us here;
No joy a rapture must create,
No grief beget despair

No injury fierce anger raise,
No honour tempt to pride;
No vain desires of empty praise
Must in the soul abide:

No charms of youth or beauty move
The constant settled breast:
Who leaves a passage free to love,
Shall let in all the rest.

In such a heart soft peace will live,
Where none of these abound;
The greatest blessing Heav'n does give,
Or can on earth be found.



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