A Poet's Optimism

He who derives much happiness from life,Which here and there a favoured one may do,Should he look coldly on the seething strifeOf the unfavoured mass who struggle throughAn ever-anxious and care-laden lot.And blandly thus address them, "Look at meAnd take example! Wherefore do you notCease to complain and life's full glory see:I grant you seem most wretched; but in truthIf you are so, why God and I can findExcellent reasons for it: in good soothHe who denies all's well is deaf and blind."Fine preaching! but methinks I've heard such loreFrom many a fat-paunched alderman before.