Classic Poem

I.

Most Happy he himself may boast,
Whose Happiness depends on none;
Who, for his knowing this World most,
Lives in it, to it, most unknown;
Who scorning to Proud Knaves, or Fools, to creep,
For Want of Pride, does Distance with 'em keep;

II.

Who, but the more for his Self-Love,
For others has more Charity;
His Innocence, but more to prove,
Does hide his Head most Hon'rably;
Who but the more, for his Wise Selfishness,
Of Avarice, or Vanity, has less;

III.

Who but much more the wiser grows,
As of the World more ignorant;
More Self-sufficiency he shows,
Shows less his Pride, his Fear, or Want,
Is to himself a God on Earth alone,
In Want of no Good, since in Care for none;

IV.

So Solitude, just Selfishness,
Does the World's Selfishness prevent;
Makes Man's Peace more, as his Fear less,
Him more safe, as more innocent;
To gain more Honour, Ease, for want of Pelf,
By Content, all-sufficient to himself.