The Man of Life Upright
    by Thomas Campion

    Note: Two Bookes of Ayres (1613?) version.
    The man of life vpright,
        Whose chearfull minde is free
    From waight of impious deedes,
        And yoake of vanitee ;

    The man whose silent dayes
        In harmelesse ioyes are spent,
    Whom hopes cannot delude
        Nor sorrowes discontent ;

    That man needes neyther towres,
        Nor armour for defence :
    Nor vaults his guilt to shrowd
        From thunders violence ;

    Hee onely can behold
        With vnaffrighted eyes
    The horrors of the deepe
        And terrors of the Skies.

    Thus, scorning all the cares
        That fate or fortune brings,
    His Booke the Heau'ns hee makes,
        His wisedome heau'nly things ;

    Good thoughts his surest friends,
        His wealth a well-spent age,
    The earth his sober Inne
        And quiet pilgrimage.
    Text source:
    Campion, Thomas. Campion's Works. Percival Vivian, ed.
    Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1909. 117-118.

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    Created by Anniina Jokinen on December 26, 1997. Last updated May 18, 2023.