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CHARACTER OF A HAPPY LIFE.

Whose passions not his masters are,

Whose soul is still prepared for death, Untied unto the worldly 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 rumours freed,

Whose conscience is his strong retreat; Whose state can neither flatterers feed, Nor ruin make oppressors great;

Who God doth late and early pray

More of his grace than gifts to lend: And entertains the harmless day With a religious book or friend;­

This man is freed from servile bands Of hope to rise, and fear to fall; Lord of himself, though not of lands; And having nothing, yet hath all. WOTTON.