Pleas’d and full bless’d he lives, when he his God can please.

His bed of wool yields safe and quiet sleeps,

While by his side his faithful spouse hath place:

His little son into his bosom creeps,

The lively picture of his father’s face:

Never his humble house or state torment him;

Less he could like, if less his God had sent him;

And when he dies, green turfs with grassy tomb content him.

Phineas Fletcher, 1584–1650.

THE SHEPHERD’S ADDRESS TO HIS MUSE.