Contentment
by Edward Dyer (1543-1607)

My mind to me a kingdom is;
Such perfect joy therein I find
As far excels all earthly bliss
That God or Nature hath assigned;
   Though much I want that most would 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 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 aloft
Mishap 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 wave my mind can toss;
I brook that is another’s bane.
   I fear no foe, nor fawn on friend;
   I loathe not life, nor dread mine 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 find
   Is to maintain a quiet mind.

My wealth is health and perfect ease;
My conscience clear my chief defense;
I never seek by bribes to please
Nor by desert to give offense.
   Thus do I live, thus will I die;
   Would all did so as well as I!

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