UNDERSTANDING.
Most miserable creature under sky
Man without understanding doth appear,
For all this world’s affliction he thereby,
And Fortune’s freaks is wisely taught to bear;
Of wretched life the only joy is she,
And the only comfort in calamity;
She arms the breast with constant patience,
Against the bitter throes of Dolour’s darts,
She solaceth with rules of sapience,
The gentle winds in midst of worldly smarts:
When he is sad, she seeks to make him merry,
And doth refresh his spirits when they be weary.
SPENSER.