Fretwork and Grace Davidson - 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 assigned
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 surfeits 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 then 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 bear what harms others
I fear no foe nor fawn on friend
I loath 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

Written by:
William Byrd

Publisher:
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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