Classic Poem

How blest is he (though euer crost )
that can all Crosses Blessings make;
That findes himselfe ere he be lost;
and, lose that found for Vertues sake.

Yea, blest is he in life and death ,
that feares not Death , nor loues this Life
That sets his Will his Wit beneath;
and hath continuall peace in strife .

That striueth but with fraile-Desire;
desiring nothing that is ill;
That rules his Soule by Reasons Squire:
and workes by Wisedomes Compasse still

That nought obserues , but what preserues
his minde and body from offence
That neyther Courts nor Seasons serues:
and learnes without experience .

That hath a Name as free from blot
as Vertues Brow; or, as his life
Is from the least suspect or spot .
although he liues without a Wife .

That doth (in spight of all debate )
possesse his Soule in Patience;
And pray, in loue for all that hate ,
and hate but what doth giue Offence.

Whose Soule is like a Sea , too still,
that rests , though mou'd; yea mou'd (at least)
With loue and hate of good and ill .
to whast the Minde the more to Rest .

That singly doth, and doubles not;
but is the same he seemes , and is
Still simply so, and yet no Sot;
but yet not knowing ought amisse.

That neuer Sinne concealed keepes;
but shewes the same to God , or moe;
Then euer for it sighes and weepes;
and ioyes in Soule for grieuing so.

That, by himselfe doth others mete;
and, of himselfe , still meekely deemes;
That neuer sate in Scorners Seate;
but, as himselfe the worst esteemes.

That loues his body for his Soule ,
Soule , for his Minde , his Minde for God;
God , for himselfe; and doth controule
CONTENT , if It with him be odde.

That to his Soule , his Sense subdues;
his Soule , to Reas'n; and Reas'n to Faith
That Vice in Vertues shape eschewes;
and both, by Wisedome , rightly waigt'h.

That rests in action , acting nought
but what is good in deed and shew ;
That seekes but God within his thought ,
and thinkes but God to loue and know .

That all vnseene, sees All , (like Him )
and makes good vse of what he sees;
That notes the tracts and trickes of Time ,
and flees with th' one, the other flees .

That liues too low for Enuies lookes;
and yet too high for loth'd Contempt;
Who makes his Friends Good-men , and Bookes ,
and nought without them doth attempt.

That liues as dying; liuing yet
In death , for life he hath in hope .
As far from State , as sinne , and debt;
of happie life the meanes and scope .

That feares no frownes , nor cares for fawnes
of Fortunes fauorits , or foes ,
That neither checkes with Kings , nor Pawnes;
and yet still winnes what Checkers lose .

That euer Ilues a light to All ,
(though oft obseured) like the Sunne:
And though his Fortunes be but small,
yet Fortune doth not seeke nor shunne .

That neuer lookes but grace to finde;
" nor seekes for knowledge to be knowne:
That makes a Kingdome of his Minde .
wherein, with God , he raignes alone.

This Man is great with little state.
Lord of the World Epitomiz'd:
Who, with staid Front , out-faceth Fate;
and, being emptie , is suffic'd:
Or, is suffic'd with little , sith (at least)
He makes his Conscience a continuall Feast .