A contented minde is worth all.
38
Some seeke for welth, I seeke my helth,
Some seeke to please, I seeke mine ease,
Some seeke to saue, I seeke to haue
to liue vpright:
More than to ride, with pompe and pride,
Or for to [iet],[9][E509] in others [det],
Such is my [skill], and shall be still,
for any wight.
39
Too fond were I, here thus to lie,
Unles that welth mought further helth,
And profit some should thereby come,
to helpe withall:
This causeth mee well pleasde to bee,
Such [drift] to make, such life to take,
Enforsing minde remorse to finde,
as neede neede shall.
Happie that liues well, vnhappie dies euill.
40
Friend, al thing [waid], that here is said,
And being got, that paies the [shot],
Me thinke of right haue leaue I might,
(death drawing neere:)
To seeke some waies, my God to praies,
And mercy craue, in time to haue,
And for the rest, what he thinkes best,
to suffer heere.
[1] First added to the 1573 edition.—M.
[2] "The author means London; but though it is believed he died there, it is evident from the sequel, that he left it on account of the plague."—M.
[3] Cf. Shakespere's Twelfth Night, ii. 3.
[4] "Till it was repaired, between 1740 and 1750, it is said to have been but a poor-looking place; and which is reported to have been characterized by Dr. Mar, the Vice-Chancellor, when speaking of it to the King of Denmark, as le petit coigne."—M.
[5] While. 1577.