Ellis Walker, Epictetus in Poetical Paraphrase 4

 

IV.

If then thou dost desire such things as these,
If thou wouldst tread these flow'ry ways of peace,
Remember that with fervency and care,
Not chill'd with cold indiff'rence, thou prepare.
Some things must be to thy dear self deny'd
For a short space, some wholly laid aside.
For if at once thou dost desire to reign,
Be rich, and yet true happiness attain;
That is, at once, be very wise and vain;
By things impartial chase; 'tis likely you
Both games may lose, which you at once pursue;
Desiring this, you wealth and pow'r may lose,
True happiness destroy pursuing those:
You by one care the other will defeat,
And neither happy be, nor rich, nor great.