"But since we all, by Just Experience, find / Content is only seated in the Mind, / We must not Judge from his External State, / That therefore he's more Happy, but more Great."
— Ward, Edward (1667-1731)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed and Sold by J. How
Date
1705
Metaphor
"But since we all, by Just Experience, find / Content is only seated in the Mind, / We must not Judge from his External State, / That therefore he's more Happy, but more Great."
Metaphor in Context
These would be Powerful Arguments, 'tis true,
Did Happiness consist in outward shew;
But since we all, by Just Experience, find
Content is only seated in the Mind,
We must not Judge from his External State,
That therefore he's more Happy, but more Great:
Tho' he Commands, Rewards, Dislikes, Approves,
And Glitt'ring Pomp surrounds him as he moves,
Fears, Cares, and Sorrows may his Mind Depress,
Beneath the Standard of Tærrestial Happiness.
The Ambitious Eagle often takes Delight,
To Soar beyond the reach of Humane Sight;
Yet Providence the like regard does show,
To each small Bird that Chirping sits below;
So Mercenary Slaves that Fight for Pay,
Conquer for Plunder, and for Bread Obey.
Possess those Blessings to the Great unknown,
That make their Painful'st Lives go smoothly down:
Kings are but Joyful when their Arms Succeed,
So also are the Servile Troops they lead;
Fortune to both doth equal Comfort give,
And both alike at their Misfortunes grieve.
Thus Providence keeps all things in a poise,
All Stations have their Fears, their Cares and Joys.
But then say you much happier are the Host,
That Won the Field, than those the Battle Lost.
Did Happiness consist in outward shew;
But since we all, by Just Experience, find
Content is only seated in the Mind,
We must not Judge from his External State,
That therefore he's more Happy, but more Great:
Tho' he Commands, Rewards, Dislikes, Approves,
And Glitt'ring Pomp surrounds him as he moves,
Fears, Cares, and Sorrows may his Mind Depress,
Beneath the Standard of Tærrestial Happiness.
The Ambitious Eagle often takes Delight,
To Soar beyond the reach of Humane Sight;
Yet Providence the like regard does show,
To each small Bird that Chirping sits below;
So Mercenary Slaves that Fight for Pay,
Conquer for Plunder, and for Bread Obey.
Possess those Blessings to the Great unknown,
That make their Painful'st Lives go smoothly down:
Kings are but Joyful when their Arms Succeed,
So also are the Servile Troops they lead;
Fortune to both doth equal Comfort give,
And both alike at their Misfortunes grieve.
Thus Providence keeps all things in a poise,
All Stations have their Fears, their Cares and Joys.
But then say you much happier are the Host,
That Won the Field, than those the Battle Lost.
Categories
Provenance
HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
2 entries in ESTC (1700, 1705).
Text from The Grand Mistake: or, All Men Happy if They Please. Shewing, I. How Beggars May Be As Happy As Kings. II. The Sick As Easie As the Sound. III. the Barren Woman As Contented As the Fruitful. By the Author of the Pleasures of a Single Life. (London: Printed and sold by J. How, at the Seven-Stars in Talbot-Court, in Grace-Church-Street, 1705). <Link to ESTC>
Text from The Grand Mistake: or, All Men Happy if They Please. Shewing, I. How Beggars May Be As Happy As Kings. II. The Sick As Easie As the Sound. III. the Barren Woman As Contented As the Fruitful. By the Author of the Pleasures of a Single Life. (London: Printed and sold by J. How, at the Seven-Stars in Talbot-Court, in Grace-Church-Street, 1705). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
08/31/2004
