Miller of Gloucestershire/The happy workman

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The Happy Workman.

I am a poor workman, as rich as a Jew:
A strange sort of tale! but however ’tis true:
Come listen awhile, and I’ll prove it to you.

I am a poor workman, you’ll easily grant;
And I’m as rich as a Jew, for there’s nothing want:
I have meat, drink, and clothes, and with them I’m content.

I live in a cottage, and yonder it stands;
And while I can work with these two honest hands,
I’m as happy as they that have houses and lands

I keep to my workmanship all the day long:
I sing and I whistle, and this is my song;
“Thank God who has made me so lusty and strong.”

I never am greedy of delicate fare:
If he gives me enough, though ’tis never so bare,
The more is his love, and the left is my care.

Though my clothes on a Workingday look but lean;
Yet when I can dress me,—on Sundays I mean,
Though cheap, they me warm; and though coarse, they are clean.

Folks cry out hard times, but I never regard;
For I ne’er did, nor e’er will let my heart earthward:
So ’tis all one to me be they easy or hard.

I envy not them that have thousands of pounds
That sport o’er the country with homes an hounds;
There’s naught but contentment can keep within bounds.

I ne’er lose my time o’er a pipe and a pot,
Nor lurk in a nook, like a flugga'rdly lot:
But I buy what is wanting with what I have ⟨got⟩

And if I have more then I want for to spend,
I help a poor neighbour, or diligent friend;
“He that gives to the poor, to the Lord he ⟨does⟩ lend.”

I grudge not that gentlefolk dress ⟨themselves⟩;
At their gold and their silver I never repine
But I wish their insides were as hearty as ⟨mine.⟩

⟨With⟩ quarrels o’ th’ country, and matters ⟨of⟩ state,
With Ins and with Outs, I ne’er puzzle my pate
There are some that I love, and none that I hate

What though my condition be ever so coarse,
I strive to embrace it for better and worse;
And my heart, I thank God, is as light as my purse.

In short, my condition, whatever it be,
Tis God that appoints it, for aught I can see;
And I’m sure I can never do better than He.

FINIS.