The Man of Life Upright
    by Thomas Campion

    Note: A Booke of Ayres (1601) version.
    The man of life vpright,
        Whose guiltlesse hart is free
    From all dishonest deedes,
        Or thought of vanitie,

    The man whose silent dayes,
        In harmeles ioys are spent,
    Whom hopes cannot delude,
        Nor sorrow discontent ;

    That man needs neither towers
        Nor armour for defence,
    Nor secret vautes to flie
        From thunders violence.

    Hee onely can behold
        With vnafrighted eyes
    The horrours of the deepe
        And terrours of the Skies.

    Thus, scorning all the cares
        That fate, or fortune brings,
    He makes the heau'n his booke,
        His wisedome heeu'nly things,

    Good thoughts his onely friendes,
        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. 15-16.

    Music:
    "The Man of Life Upright " by Campion, Thomas (1567-1620).
    Sequenced by Allan Alexander. Used with permission.


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