"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 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 gazing 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 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, 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 offense. Thus do I live, thus will I die. Would all did so as well as I! [[Edward de Vere]] [[via Ralph]]