Page:Essays - Abraham Cowley (1886).djvu/180

 This only grant me, that my means may lie Too low for envy, for contempt too high.
 * Some honour I would have,

Not from great deeds, but good alone. The unknown are better than ill known.
 * Rumour can ope the grave;

Acquaintance I would have, but when it depends Not on the number, but the choice of friends.

Books should, not business, entertain the light, And sleep, as undisturbed as death, the night.
 * My house a cottage, more

Than palace, and should fitting be For all my use, no luxury.
 * My garden painted o'er

With Nature's hand, not Art's; and pleasures yield, Horace might envy in his Sabine field

Thus would I double my life's fading space, For he that runs it well twice runs his race.