'♦ How much," said he, " more happy is the State 

 In which ye, Father, here do dwell at ease, 

 Leading a Life so free and fortunate, 

 From all the Tempests of these worldly Seas, 

 Which toss the rest in dangerous Disease ? 

 Where Wars, and Wrecks, and wicked Enmity 

 Do them afflict, which no man can appease ; 

 That certes I your Happiness envy, 

 And wish my Lot were plac'd in such Felicity." 



" Surely, my Son (then answer'd he again) 

 If happy, then it is in this Intent, 

 That having small, yet do I not complain 

 Of Want, ne wish for more to it augment, 

 But do my self, with that I have, content ; 

 So taught of Nature, which doth little need 

 Of foreign Helps to Life's due Nourishment. 



" To them that list, the Yforld's gay Shows I leave. 

 And to great ones such Follies do forgive, 

 Which oft thro' Pride do their own Peril weave. 

 And thro' Ambition down themselves do drive 

 To sad Decay, that might contented live. 

 Me no such Cares nor combrous Thoughts offend, 

 Ne once my Mind's unmoved Quiet grieve ; 

 But all the Night in silver Sleep I spend, 

 And all the Day, to what I list, I do attend." 



The Faery Queen. 



"Your work, upon the whole, will immortalize your place of abode 

 as well as yourself." 



John Mulso ; \Qth July, 1776. 



