The Things That Cause a Quiet Life
The Things That Cause a Quiet Life
(Written by Martial)
Original Text
William Baldwin, A treatise of morall philosophie (1547). STC 1253. Facs. edn. (Gainsville: Scholars' Facsimiles and Reprints, 1967). BJ 1551 B35 1620a Victoria College Library
2The happy life be these, I find:
3The riches left, not got with pain,
4The fruitful ground; the quiet mind;
5The equal friend; no grudge, no strife;
6No charge of rule nor governance;
7Without disease the healthy life;
8The household of continuance;
9The mean diet, no dainty fare;
10True wisdom joined with simpleness;
11The night discharged of all care,
12Where wine the wit may not oppress;
13The faithful wife, without debate;
14Such sleeps as may beguile the night:
15Content thyself with thine estate,
16Neither wish death, nor fear his might.
Notes
1] A translation of Martial, Epigrams, X, 47. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1547
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
2RP 1.87.
Rhyme