My Mind to me a Kingdom is

My mind to me a kingdom is;
       Such perfect joy therein I find
   That it excels all other bliss
       Which God or nature hath assign'd.
   Though much I want that most would have,
   Yet still my mind forbids to crave.

   No princely port, nor wealthy store,
       No force to win a victory,
   No wily wit to salve a sore,
      No shape to win a loving eye;
  To none of these I yield as thrall,--
  For why? my mind despise them all.

  I see that plenty surfeit oft,
      And hasty climbers soonest fall;
  I see that such as are aloft
      Mishap doth threaten most of all.
  These get with toil and keep with fear;
  Such cares my mind can never bear.

  I press to bear no haughty sway,
      I wish no more than may suffice,
  I do no more than well I may,
      Look, what I want my mind supplies.
  Lo ! thus I triumph like a king,
  My mind content with anything.

  I laugh not at another's loss,
      Nor grudge not at another's gain;
  No worldly waves 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.

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