"I am fallen into the hands of publicans and sequestrators, and
they have taken all from me; what now? Let me look about me. They
have left me the sun and moon, fire and water, a loving wife, and
many friends to pity me, and some to relieve me, and I can still
discourse; and unless I list, they have not taken away my merry
countenance and my cheerful spirit, and a good conscience; they
still have left me the Providence of God, and all the promises of
the Gospel, and my religion, and my hopes of heaven, and my
charity to them too; and still I sleep and digest, I eat and
drink, I read and meditate; I can walk in my neighbor's pleasant
fields, and see the varieties of natural beauties, and delight in
all that in which God delights, that is, in virtue and wisdom, in
the whole creation, and in God Himself."
Here, Antony, is true wisdom. True, indeed, is it that no one can take
away from you your merry countenance, your cheerful spirit, and your
good conscience unless you choose; keep all three, Antony, throughout
your life, and you will be happy yourself and make everyone about you
happy, and that is to make a little heaven of your earthly home.
Your loving old
G.P.
9