The Power Of The Mind

Nature Photography by Xavier Jamonet

SIR EDWARD DYER

1543 -  1607

My Mind to Me a Kingdom Is

My mind to me a kingdom is;

Such present joys therein I find

That it excels all other bliss

That earth affords or grows by kind.

Though much I want which most would 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 a loving eye;

To none of these I yield as thrall.

For why my mind doth serve for all.

I see how plenty suffers oft,

And hasty climbers soon do fall;

I see that those which are aloft

Mishap doth threaten most of all;

They get with tail, 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, I fawn no 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;

A 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 choice 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!

*