How happy is he born or taught, br That serveth not another's will; br Whose armour is his honest thought, br And simple truth his highest skill; br br Whose passions not his masters are; br Whose soul is still prepar'd for death br Untied unto the world with care br Of princes' grace or vulgar breath; br br Who envies none whom chance doth raise, br Or vice; who never understood br The deepest wounds are given by praise, br By rule of state, but not of good; br br Who hath his life from rumours freed; br Whose conscience is his strong retreat; br Whose state can neither flatterers feed, br Nor ruins make accusers great; br br Who God doth late and early pray, br More of his grace than goods to send, br And entertains the harmless day br With a well-chosen book or friend. br br This man is free from servile bands br Of hope to rise or fear to fall; br Lord of himself, though not of lands; br And having nothing, yet hath all.