The Character Of A Happy Life Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDED FGFG HIHJ KLKL MNMN| How happy is he born and taught | A |
| That serveth not another's will | B |
| Whose armour is his honest thought | A |
| And simple truth his utmost skill | B |
| - | |
| Whose passions not his masters are | C |
| Whose soul is still prepared for death | D |
| Untied unto the world by care | E |
| Of public fame or private breath | D |
| - | |
| Who envies none that chance doth raise | F |
| Nor vice who never understood | G |
| How deepest wounds are given by praise | F |
| Nor rules of state but rules of good | G |
| - | |
| Who hath his life from rumours freed | H |
| Whose conscience is his strong retreat | I |
| Whose state can neither flatterers feed | H |
| Nor ruin make oppressors great | J |
| - | |
| Who God doth late and early pray | K |
| More of His grace than gifts to lend | L |
| And entertains the harmless day | K |
| With a religious book or friend | L |
| - | |
| This man is freed from servile bands | M |
| Of hope to rise or fear to fall | N |
| Lord of himself though not of lands | M |
| And having nothing yet hath all | N |
Sir Henry Wotton
(3)
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Jim Grirve: I WISH I had read this 60 years ago, as a 12 year old and had pondered drank in it's quiet wisdom