Grant heav'n that I may chuse my bliss <br />If you design me worldly Happiness <br />Tis not Honour thats but air <br />Glory has but fancied light <br />Fame as oft speak's false as right <br />Riches have wings & ever dwell with care <br />Give me an undistemperd mind <br />As ye third region undisturbd by wind <br />Content from passions ever free <br />to rule ones selfs indeed a monarchy <br />this I request of thee <br /> <br />Tho all we see are fortunes apes <br />& change as oft as she their shapes <br />Tho my kinder fortune leave me <br />Tho my dearest friends deceive me <br />I in this universall tide <br />firm on heav'ns mercy would abide <br />& 'mongst ye giddy waves securely ride <br />Tho they should die <br />Who never did my love abuse <br />Perhaps in tears I would my passion vent <br />But straight again I'de be content <br />Remembring 'twas th' almighty's deed tho I <br />should my best relations loose <br />Ide sighing cry Heav'ns will be done <br />It did but lend them now it has its own. <br />Fortune should never be <br />Adored as a deity by me <br />She onely makes them fooles who make her great <br />But still content on earth intent on heav'n I'de be <br />an equall temper keep in ev'ry state <br />nor Care nor fear my destiny <br />Death when most dreadfull should not fright <br />Wn ere he comes Ide patiently submitt <br />Content thus in my soul should build its halcyons nest <br />As did thy spirit on ye waters rest <br />& keep an everlasting calm with in my breast.<br /><br />Thomas Parnell<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-content/
