ABOUT HIMSELF (1) by CLEMENT MAROT

THIS, Clement Marot (if you wish to know)
Can upon man a happy life bestow;
Goods you don't earn, but by bequest acquire,
A pleasant wholesome house, and constant fire.
Hated by none, yourself devoid of hate,
And little meddling with affairs of state:
A wise and simple life, true friends, and like
A good plain fare, with nought the eyes to strike,
With all in easy converse to combine:
Pass careless nights, not careless made by wine;
A wife to have--kind, joyous, chaste, and bright;
And well to sleep, which shorter makes the night;
Contented with your rank, nor wish for higher;
And neither death to fear, nor death desire.
This, Clement Marot (if you wish to know)
Can upon man a happy life bestow.

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