The Character of a Happy Life

 

The Character of a Happy Life

‘The Character of a happy Life’ is the title of a poem written by Sir Henry Wotton . He was an English author, diplomat and politician. He was born on 30 May 1568 and died in December 1639. He was a member of the House of Commons in 1614 and 1625 .

The poem mentioned above is one of his best-known fifteen surviving verses. It is based on the principles of a good life which should never be abandoned. Its theme is the eternal sources of happiness.  

A happy man, according to the poet, is incorruptible. His strength is the un-declining love of God. Such a man is : “Lord of himself, though not of lands,/ And having nothing, yet hath all.”   

The full text of the poem reads as follows:

 

“How happy is he born and taught

That serveth not another’s will;

Whose armour is his honest thought,

And simple truth his utmost skill!

Whose passions not his master’s are;

 

Whose soul is still prepared for death,

Untied  unto the world by care

Of public fame or private breath;

 

Who envies none that chance doth raise,

Nor vice; who never understood

How deepest wounds are given by praise;

Nor rules of state, but rules of good;

 

Who hath his life from rumours freed;

Whose conscience is his strong retreat;

Whose state can neither flatterers feed,

Nor ruin make oppressors great;

Who God doth late and early pray

More of His grace than gifts to lend;

And entertains the harmless day

With a religious book or friend;

 

---This man is freed from servile bands

Of hope to rise or fear to fall:

Lord of himself, though not of lands,

And having nothing, yet hath all.

                                                            ********

G.R.Kanwal

15 June 2024