Sir Edward Dyer
¶[d. i6oy]
¶5/ My Mind to Me a Kingdom IsMy mind to me a kingdom is;Such present joys therein I find.That it excels all other blissThat earth affords or grows by kind:Though much I want that most would have,Yet still my mind forbids to crave.
Sir Edward Dyer
¶No shape to feed a loving eye;To none of these I yield as thrall;For why ? my mind doth serve for all.
¶I see how plenty surfeits oft,And hasty climbers soon do fall;I see that those which are aloftMishap doth 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 still 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 gain;No worldly waves my mind can toss;My state at one doth still remain:I fear no foe, I fawn no 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,A cloaked craft their store of skill;But all the pleasure that I findIs to maintain a quiet mind.
¶My wealth is health and perfect ease,My conscience clear my chief defence;I neither seek by bribes to please,