Poems and Extracts/Song (1)

by Anne Finch

For works with similar titles, see Song and Song (Finch).

Song

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Would we attain the happiest state,
That is design'd us here
No joy a rapture must create
No grief beget despair.

No injury fierce anger raise,
No honour tempt to pride
No vain desires of empty praise
Must in the soul abide.

No charms of youth or beauty move
The constant settled breast; 10
Who leaves a passage free to love,
Shall let in all the rest.

In such a heart soft peace will live,
Where none of these abound;
The greatest blessing heaven does give
Or can on earth be found.

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