“My friend, the things that do attain” - Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.

Hello friends,

I would like to share a poem which I studied during my graduation. The title of the poem is “My friend, the things that do attain”. It is written by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1516/1517 – 19 January 1547), was an English aristocrat, and one of the founders of English Renaissance poetry.

MY friend, the things that do attain

The happy life be these, I find:

The riches left, not got with pain;

The fruitful ground; the quiet mind;

The equal friend; no grudge; no strife;

No charge of rule, nor governance;

Without disease, the healthy life;

The household of continuance;

The mean diet, no dainty fare;

Wisdom joined with simpleness;

The night discharged of all care,

Where wine the wit may not oppress:

The faithful wife, without debate;

Such sleeps as may beguile the night;

Content thyself with thine estate,

Neither wish death, nor fear his might.

In the above mentioned poem, there is a list of things that are the means for attaining a happy life.

Like – pain free tradition,Good health,. A faithful spouse,Having good friends,Not wishing for death yet not fearing his might are  means to attaining a happy life.

Ironically, these things mentioned above are clearly attainable. Following a healthy diet will give you a good health and it will lead to a happy life.Being a true friend will guarantee honest friendship. Being truthful can increase a spouse's faithfulness. Less intake of wine will help one attain a happy life.

Self-control is the key. 

It is also a choice one can make to lead a happy life.

Although death is unavoidable, but there is no need to wish or fear death. Often, permanence brings about unavoidable exhaustion.

Balance is the key to life.

This poem suggests a balanced life is the key to attaining a happy life. The poet suggests that there are means to attaining a happy life. The ideas  of the poet are sensible. He must have observed this otherwise he wouldn’t tell this with authority.

The ideas are realistic and the things are attainable, still there are very less people who live life in a balanced way.

Reference:-

http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/howard01.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Howard,_Earl_of_Surrey