Classic Poem

Who seeks a Prize where 'tis not to be found,
Makes his Confusion but the more abound:
So they that dote on Riches that have Wings,
Or any other transitory things,
Do but with great perplexing Cares prevent
That which they most pretend to seek, Content .
Where may it then be sought? Behold, it lies
Hid, as a Treasure, from the Vult'rous Eyes:
Yet there's a Garden where this Plant doth grow,
Which who desires to find, must learn to know
A Heart that's well refin'd and purify'd.
From high-aspiring discontented Pride;
Disdaining to admire that Idol, Gold,
But can, as with undazled Eyes, behold
Its Earth-bred Lustre; knowing how to use it,
Not hoarding it to rust, that's to abuse it;
That cannot for vile Pleasures prostitute
The noble Soul to grovle with the Brute;
That cannot be so bound to Humane Fashion,
As to be over-sway'd with Furious Passion:
But doth, as with a well-composed Mind,
Hear Self revil'd and scorn'd; yet not inclin'd
Unto Revenge, but still refers the wrong
To Him, to whom all Vengeance doth belong;
And can in inward Purity rejoyce,
Tho' Vertue's branded with the Name of Vice ;
That doth in Joy such equal Temper know,
That Sorrow cannot make it stoop too low,
Nor be afraid, altho' the World should frown;
Nor yet forget himself, through vain Renown;
That counts an Injury worth no Reward,
Save only this, a Noble Disregard;
That's unto slavish Fear so much a Stranger,
That it undaunted meets approaching Danger;
Yea, high and low Estates can calmly bear,
Without Disturbance or distracting Care;
That honours Vertue, though in Poverty,
Rather than Vice, puff'd up with Dignity;
Whose equal Justice cannot vex his Foe,
Nor spare his Friend, if that his Cause says, No;
Who, tho' in Pow'r, would not inflict a Wrong;
Nor yet can see th'Oppressed suffer long,
Without Relief; but cheerfully doth lend
A Helping-hand to Enemy or Friend;
Whose Word's more binding than a Golden Chain,
Who stedfast to his Promise doth remain;
And will perform it, tho' no Ear attend,
To testify betwixt him and his Friend;
Who, in great multiplicity, can find
A calm and wisely-recollected Mind;
Knowing, that Heav'n did never This ordain
A Slave to Earth, but over it to reign:
And having Treasure, which no Rust can rot,
Doth use the World, as if he us'd it not:
And cheerfully submit to Providence,
(Not by constraint) in what it doth dispence;
Whether in Storms or Trials; for he knows
That Promis'd Comforts appertain to those
That mourn; or if his Lord and Master please,
Can Joy in Sun-shine, or more prosp'rous Days;
Knowing th'Eternal Wisdom never errs,
Therefore sincerely in his Thoughts prefers
That Will before his own; so comes to learn,
Wisdom and Love in all things to discern;
Who need not boast what Ancestors have been,
When all their Vertues shine more bright in him;
Which is a greater Honour than to be
The Refuse of some Famous Pedigree;
This knows such Peace the World can ne'er prevent,
Here's that much sought-for, durable Content .