Turns out the poem is historical:-
My Friend, The Things That Do Attain
- MY friend, the things that do attain
- The happy life be these, I find:
- The riches left, not got with pain;
- The fruitful ground; the quiet mind;
- The equal friend; no grudge; no strife;
- No charge of rule, nor governance;
- Without disease, the healthy life;
- The household of continuance;
- The mean diet, no dainty fare;
- Wisdom joined with simpleness;
- The night discharged of all care,
- Where wine the wit may not oppress:
- The faithful wife, without debate;
- Such sleeps as may beguile the night;
- Content thyself with thine estate,
- Neither wish death, nor fear his might.
- Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey
