English poem - HONEST THOUGHT AND SIMPLE TRUTH

How happy is he born and taught
That serveth not another’s will;
Whose armour is his honest thought,
And simple truth his highest skill!

Whose passions not his masters are,
Whose soul is still prepared for death;
Untied unto the world with care
Of princely love or vulgar breath;

Who hath his life from rumours freed,
Whose conscience is his strong retreat
Whose state can neither flatterers feed,
Nor ruin make accusers great;

Who God doth late and early pray
More of His grace than gifts to lend;
Who entertains the harmless day
With a well-chosen book or friend;

This man is free from servile bands
Of hope to rise or fear to fall;
Lord of himself, though not lands;
And having nothing, he hath all.

- Sir Henry Wotton