240 IZAAK WALTON AND HIS FRIENDS 



Oh precious ransom ! which once paid 

 That consummatum est was said ; 



And said by Him that said no more, 

 But sealed it with his sacred breath ; 

 Thou, then, that hast dispunged my score, 

 And dying wast the death of Death, 

 Be to me now, on Thee I call, 

 My life, my strength, my joy, my all ! 



The Character of a Happy Life 



How happy is he born and taught 

 That serveth not another's will ; , 

 Whose armour is his honest thought 

 And simple truth his utmost skill ! 



Whose passions not his masters are, 

 Whose soul is still prepared for death, 

 Untied unto the world by care 

 Of public fame, or private breath ; 



Who envies none that chance doth raise, 

 Nor vice ; who never understood 

 How deepest wounds are given by praise 

 Nor rules of state, but rules of good : 



Who hath his life from rumours freed, 

 Whose conscience is his strong retreat ; 

 Whose state can neither flatterers feed, 

 Nor ruin make oppressors great ; 



