Happy the man, whose chearful mind
Ne'er at affliction's stroke repin'd,
Who bow'd submissive to the rod,
And recogniz'd the hand of God!
He, passing through this varied scene,
Where good and evil intervene,
Will learn amendment from the blow,
And by the trial firmer grow.
From nature's particolour'd hue
He'll cull what pleases most the view;
Nor with malignant pleasure dwell
On blemishes, when more excel.
If he a neighbour's fault descry
He'll turn aside his sparing eye;
T'amend himself will be his care,
Not to condemn what others are.
Thus fortify'd misfortune's dart
May wound, but ne'er shall pierce his heart:
For meek-ey'd Patience, heav'nly maid,
His virtue shall in trouble aid.
In vain temptation lays its snares,
In vain its evils life prepares;
They shall his mind from dross renew,
Its pow'rs improve, but not subdue:
Affliction's salutary rod
Shall guide his steps from earth to God.