The things that make the happier life, are these, Most pleasant Martial; substance got with ease, Not laboured for, but left thee by thy sire; A soil, not barren; a continual fire; Never at law; seldom in office gowned; A quiet mind; free powers; and body sound; A wise simplicity; friends alike-stated; Thy table without art, and easy-rated: Thy night not drunken, but from cares laid waste; No sour, or sullen bed-mate, yet a chaste; Sleep, that will make the darkest hours swift-paced; Will to be, what thou art; and nothing more: Nor fear thy latest day, nor wish therefore. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHEN THE COWS COME HOME by AGNES E. MITCHELL A MINUTE by INNOKENTI FYODOROVICH ANNENSKY PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 67. AS-SAMAD by EDWIN ARNOLD ILLUSIONS by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN RECOMPENSE by HAZEL CANNON BRINSON KLAMATH SUMMER by VIRGINIA WHITE BROWN LAST DAYS OF QUEEN ELIZABETH by EDWARD GEORGE EARLE LYTTON BULWER-LYTTON |