The Character Of A Happy Life Poem by Sir Henry Wotton

The Character Of A Happy Life

Rating: 3.5


How happy is he born or taught,
That serveth not another's will;
Whose armour is his honest thought,
And simple truth his highest skill;

Whose passions not his masters are;
Whose soul is still prepar'd for death
Untied unto the world with care
Of princes' grace or vulgar breath;

Who envies none whom chance doth raise,
Or vice; who never understood
The deepest wounds are given by praise,
By rule of state, but not of good;

Who hath his life from rumours freed;
Whose conscience is his strong retreat;
Whose state can neither flatterers feed,
Nor ruins make accusers great;

Who God doth late and early pray,
More of his grace than goods to send,
And entertains the harmless day
With a well-chosen book or friend.

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

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Saif ali 26 August 2019

This man is free from servile bands

0 0 Reply
Ray Williams 21 February 2018

I recited this poem at my high school graduation in 1956.

1 0 Reply
Sara Militello 29 September 2015

Wow. I never knew this poem existed. And, of course, it's written so very better than I could have said it. I will now get better acquainted with the poems of Sir Henry Wotton.

1 5 Reply
Sanjay Srivatsa 16 November 2012

THE RELIGIOUS BENT ASIDE, IS THERE A BETTER DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTER WORTHY OF EMULATION? ?

8 11 Reply
Osama Waqar 13 April 2012

just beautiful..........

9 8 Reply
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