XIIII. My minde to me &c.
1
My minde to me a kingdome is,
such perfect ioy therin I find:
That it excells all other blisse,
which God or Nature hath assign'd:
though much I want, that most wold haue,
yet stil my mind, forbids to craue:
2
No princ'lie port nor welthie store,
no force to winne a victorie:
no wylie wit to salue a sore,
no shape to winne a louing eye:
to none of these I yeeld as thrall,
for why my mind despise them all,
3
I see that plentie surfets oft.
and hastie clymbers soonest fall:
I see that such as are aloft,
mishap doth threaten most of all:
these get with toyle and keepe with feare,
such cares my mind can neuer beare.
4
I presse to beare no haughtie sway,
I wish no more then may suffice:
I doe no more then well I may.
looke what I want my mind supplice:
loe thus I triumph like a king,
my minde content with any thing.
5
I laugh not at anothers losse,
nor grudge not at anothers gaine:
no worldly waues my mind can tosse,
I brooke that is an others bane:
I feare no soe nor fawne on friend,
I loth not life nor dread mine end.
6
My wealth is health & perfect case,
and conscience cleere my chiefe defence:
I neuer seeke by brybes to please,
nor by desart to giue offence:
thus do I liue, thus will I die,
would all did so as well as I.
FINIS.
