The Means To Attain Happy Life

MARTIAL, the things that do attain  
  The happy life be these, I find:—  
The richesse 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 healthful life;  
  The household of continuance;  
 
The mean diet, no delicate fare;  
  True wisdom join’d with simpleness;
The night dischargèd of all care,  
  Where wine the wit may not oppress.  
 
The faithful wife, without debate;  
  Such sleeps as may beguile the night:  
Contented with thine own estate
  Ne wish for death, ne fear his might.  
Poem by: Henry Howard,
Earl Of Surrey
(1516-47)

Art: Breath Of Life
By MoonSongWolf
Via: Deviant Art