The Man of Life Upright
The man of life upright,
Whose guiltless heart is free
From all dishonest deeds,
Or thought of vanity;
The man whose silent days
In harmless joys are spent,
Whom hopes cannot delude
Nor sorrow discontent;
That man needs neither towers
Nor armor for defense,
Nor secret vaults to fly
From thunder’s violence:
Thus scorning all the cares
That fate or fortune brings,
He makes the heaven his book,
His wisdom heavenly things,
Good thoughts his only friends,
His wealth a well-spent age,
The earth his sober inn
And quiet pilgrimage.
—Thomas Champion.
Alternate Reading: Leviticus 19: 33-37.