If it had been

Songs and Sonnets
The Means to attain happy Life

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;            5
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;            10
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;            15
Ne wish for Death, ne fear his might.