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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CHARACTER OF A HAPPY LIFE, by HENRY WOTTON Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: How happy is he born and taught Last Line: And, having nothing, yet hath all. Variant Title(s): The Happy Life;a Good Man;lord Of Himself;of A Happy Life Subject(s): Freedom; Happiness; Life; Religion; Liberty; Joy; Delight; Theology | |||
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...MYSTIC BOUNCE by TERRANCE HAYES MATHEMATICS CONSIDERED AS A VICE by ANTHONY HECHT UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS |
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