Reason.
Happiness is in oneself
“Right well,” quoth she, “but understand,
I mean not lordly house or land,
Nor costly robes or garnishment,
Or jewels, or incoming rent,
Nor household goods and furniture,
But something better and more sure.
A thing ’tis, hid in each man’s soul,
More precious to him than the whole
Of worldly wealth, for ’twill endure
When things are gone you deemed for sure,5640
And ne’er from thee can it be ta’en,
Another’s heart to ease and fain,
Nor ever can be reft from thee
Henceforward through eternity.
External goods have no more worth
Than some poor horse’s outworn girth,
And neither thou nor any man
Can own throughout a long life’s span
The value of a garden leek.
Only within us must we seek5650
That which we dare to call our own,
All else that in the world is known
Belongs to Fortune, and her breath
Hither and thither scattereth
All worldly wealth, and then again
Recalls it, whensoever fain
She is thereto, which makes fools cry
And laugh by turns; but utterly
Wise men Dame Fortune’s gifts despise.
And when to move their hearts she tries5660
