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.