1.
My mind to me a kingdom is;
Such perfect joy therein I find
That it excels all other bliss
Which God or nature hath assigned.
‖: Though much I want that most would have,
Yet still my mind forbids to crave, :‖
Yet still my mind forbids ‖: to crave. :‖
2.
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, :‖
For why? my mind despise ‖: them all. :‖
3.
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, :‖
Such cares my mind can ‖: never bear. :‖
4.
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, :‖
My mind content with ‖: anything. :‖
5.
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, :‖
I loathe not life nor dread ‖: mine end. :‖
6.
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, :‖
Would all did so as well ‖: as I! :‖