1
Content, the false World’s best disguise,
The search and faction of the Wise,
Is so abstruse and hid in night,
That, like that Fairy Red-cross Knight,
Who treacherous Falshood for clear Truth had got, [5]
Men think they have it when they have it not.
2
For Courts Content would gladly own,
But she ne’er dwelt about a Throne:
And to be flatter’d, rich, and great,
Are things which do Mens senses cheat. [10]
But grave Experience long since this did see,
Ambition and Content would ne’er agree.
3
Some vainer would Content expect
From what their bright Out-sides reflect:
But sure Content is more Divine [15]
Than to be digg’d from Rock or Mine:
And they that know her beauties will confess,
She needs no lustre from a glittering dress.
4
In Mirth some place her, but she scorns
Th’ assistance of such crackling thorns, [20]
Nor owes her self to such thin sport,
That is so sharp and yet so short:
And Painters tell us they the same strokes place,
To make a laughing and a weeping face.
5
Others there are that place Content [25]
In Liberty from Government:
But whomsoe’re Passions deprave,
Though free from shackles, he’s a slave.
Content and Bondage differ only then,
When we are chain’d by Vices, not by Men. [30]
6
Some think the Camp Content does know,
And that she sits o’th’Victor’s brow:
But in his Laurel there is seen
Often a Cypress-bow between.
Nor will Content her self in that place give, [35]
Where Noise and Tumult and Destruction live.
7
But yet the most Discreet believe,
The Schools this Jewel do receive,
And thus far’s true without dispute,
Knowledge is still the sweetest fruit. [40]
But whilst men seek for Truth they lose their Peace;
And who heaps Knowledge, Sorrow doth increase.
8
But now some sullen Hermite smiles,
And thinks he all the World beguiles,
And that his Cell and Dish contain [45]
What all mankind wish for in vain.
But yet his pleasure’s follow’d with a Groan,
For man was never born to be alone.
9
Content her self best comprehends
Betwixt two souls, and they two friends, [50]
Whose either joyes in both are fix’d,
And multiply’d by being mix’d:
Whose minds and interests are so the same;
Their Griefs, when once imparted, lose that name.
10
These far remov’d from all bold noise, [55]
And (what is worse) all hollow joyes,
Who never had a mean design,
Whose flame is serious and divine,
And calm, and even, must contented be,
For they’ve both Union and Society. [50]
11
Then, my Lucasia, we who have
Whatever Love can give or crave;
Who can with pitying scorn survey
The Trifles which the most betray;
With innocence and perfect friendship fir’d [65]
By Vertue joyn’d, and by our Choice retir’d.
12
Whose Mirrours are the crystal Brooks,
Or else each others Hearts and Looks;
Who cannot wish for other things
Then Privacy and Friendship brings: [70]
Whose thoughts and persons chang’d and mixt are one,
Enjoy Content, or else the World hath none.
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