The Things That Cause A Quiet Life

  My friend, the things that do attain

  The happy life be these, I find:

  The riches left, not got with pain,

  The fruitful ground; the quiet mind;

  The equal friend; no grudge, no strife;

  No charge of rule nor governance;

  Without disease the healthy life;

  The household of continuance;

  The mean diet, no dainty fare;

  True wisdom joined with simpleness;

  The night discharged of all care,

  Where wine the wit may not oppress;

  The faithful wife, without debate;

  Such sleeps as may beguile the night:

  Content thyself with thine estate,

  Neither wish death, nor fear his might.