Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. I. Early Poetry: Chaucer to Donne

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517–1547)

The Means to Attain Happy Life

[Translated from Martial]

MARTIAL, 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 healthful life;

The household of continuance.

The mean diet, no delicate 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:

Contented with thine own estate,

Ne wish for death, ne fear his might.