Of CONTENT

WHo secks a Prize where 'tis not to be found Makes his Confusion but the more abound: So they that dote on Riches that have Wings, Or any other transitory Things, Do but with great perplexing Cares prevent That which they most pretend to seek, Content. Where may it then be sought? Behold it lies Hid, as a Treasure, from the Vult'rous Eyes: Yet there's a Garden where this Plant doth grow, Which who desires to find, must learn to know A Heart that's well resin'd and purity'd From high-aspiring discontented Pride; Disdaining to admire that Idol, Gold, But can, as with undazled Eyes, behold Its Earth-bred Lustre; knowing how to use in, Nor hoarding it to rust, that's to abuse it; That cannot for vile Pleasures prostitute The noble Soul to grovle with the Brure; That cannot be so bound to humane Fashion, As to be over-sway'd with Furious Passion: But doth, as with a well-composed Mind, Hear Self revil'd and scorn'd; yet not melin'd Unto Revenge, but still refers the Wrong To Him, to whom all Vengeance doth belong; And can in inward Purity rejoyce, Tho' Vertue's branded with the Name of Vice; That doth in Joy such equal Temper know, That Sorrow cannot make it stoop too low, Nor be afraid, altho' the World should frown; Nor yet forget himself, thro' vain Renown; That counts an Injury worth no Reward, Save only this, a Noble Disregard; That's unto slavish Fear so much a Stranger, That it undaunted meets approaching Danger; Yea, high and low Estates can calmly bear, Without Disturbance, or distracting Care; That honours Vertue, tho' in Poverty, Rather than Vice, puff'd up with Dignity; Whose equal Justice cannot vex his Foe, Nor spare his Friend, if that his Cause says No; Who, tho' in Pow'r, would not inflict a Wrong; Nor yet can see th' Oppressed suffer long, Without Relief; but chearfully doth lend A Helping-Hand to Enemy or Friend; Whose Word's more binding than a Golden Chain, Who stedfast to his Promise doth remain; And will perform it, tho' no Ear attend, To testify betwixt him and his Friend; Who, in great Multiplicity, can find A calm and wisely-recollected Mind; Knowing that Heaven did never This ordain A Slave to Earth, but over it to reign: And having Treasure, which no Rust can rot, Doth use the World, as if he us'd it not: And chearfully submit to Providence, (Not by Constraint) in what it doth dispense; Whether in Storms or Trials; for he knows That promis'd Comforts appertain to those That mourn; or if his Lord and Master please, Can Joy in Sun-shine, or more prosp'rous Days; Knowing th' Eternal, Wisdom never errs, Therefore sincerely in his Thoughts prefers That Will before his own; so comes to learn, Wisdom and Love in all things to discern; Who need not boast what Ancestors have been, When all their Vertues shine more bright in him; Which is a greater Honour than to be The Refuse of some famous Pedigree; This knows such Peace the World can ne'er prevent, Here's that much sought-for, durable Content.