The character of a happy life

Sir Henry Wotton, The character of a happy life

How happy is he born and taught
That serveth not another's will;
Whose armour is his honest thougt,
And simpe truth his utmost skill;

Whose passions not his masters are;
Whose soul is still prepar'd for death,
United into the world by care
Of public fame or private breath;

Who envies none that chance doth raise,
Nor 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 freed,
Nor ruin make acccusers 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.