My
mind to me a kingdom is;
Such perfect joy therein I find
That
it exceeds all other bliss
That
world affords or grows by kind.
Though
much I want which most men have,
Yet
still my mind forbids to crave.
No
princely pomp, no wealthy store,
No
force to win the victory,
No
wily wit to salve a sore,
No
shape to feed each grazing eye;
To
none of these I yield as thrall.
For
why my mind doth serve for all.
I
see how plenty suffers oft,
How
hasty climbers soon do fall;
I
see that those that are aloft
Mishap
doeth threaten most of all;
They
get with toil, they keep with fear.
Such
cares my mind could never bear.
Content
I live, this is my stay;
I
seek no more than may suffice;
I
press to bear no haughty sway;
Look
what I lack my mind supplies;
Lo,
thus I triumph like a king,
Content
with that my mind doth bring.
Some
have too much, yet sill do crave:
I
little have, and seek no more.
They
are but poor, though much they have,
And
I am rich with little store.
They
poor, I rich; they beg, I give;
They
lack, I leave, they pine, I live.
I
laugh not at another's loss;
I
grudge not at another's grain;
No
worldly waves my mind can toss;
My
state at one doth still remain.
I
fear no foe, nor fawning friend;
I
loathe not life, nor dread my end.
Some
weigh their pleasure by their lust,
Their
wisdom by their rage of will,
Their
treasure is their only trust;
And
cloaked craft their store of skill.
But
all the pleasure that I find
Is
to maintain a quiet mind.
My
wealth is health and perfect ease;
My
conscience clear my chief defense;
I
neither seek by bribes to please,
Nor
by deceit to breed offence.
Thus
do I live, Thus will I die.
Would
all did so as well as I.
~
Anonymous ~
