Strive not against God, who exalts at his pleasure + 

Now one, now setteth another on high. + 

Yet doth not even His will seem right + 

Unto envious ones, but they strain over-tight + 

The line, and their own hearts so do they smite + 

With a wound whose bitterness none may measure, + 

Ere the prize be gained for the which they sigh. + 

Nay, better it is that a man bear lightly + 

The yoke of Fate on his neck that lies. + 

But he makes for his feet a perilous road + 

Who backward lashes against the goad. + 

But on me be this fair fortune bestowed, + 

To dwell among them which walk uprightly, + 

And to be well-pleasing in good men’s eyes. + 