FAMOUS SINGLE AND FUGITIVE POEMS. My Mind to me a Kingdom is. My mind to me a kingdom is, Such perfect joy therein I find That God or nature hath assigned; Though much I want that most would have, Content I live, this is my stay: I seek no more than may suffice: I see how plenty surfeits oft, And hasty climbers soonest fall; Mishap doth threaten most of all: Some have too much, yet still they crave, They are but poor, though much they have, They poor, I rich; they beg, I give; I laugh not at another's loss, I grudge not at another's gain: I fear no foe, nor fawn on friend; I wish but what I have at will, I like the plain, I climb no hill, In greatest storms I sit on shore, And laugh at them that toil in vain, To get what must be lost again. My wealth is health and perfect ease, I never seek by bribes to please, WILLIAM BYRD. The Lye. GOE, Soule, the bodie's guest, Feare not to touche the best- Goe tell the court it glowes Tell potentates they live Acting by others' actionsNot loved unlesse they give, Not strong but by their factions, If potentates reply, Give potentates the lye. Tell men of high condition, Tell them that brave it most They beg for more by spending, Who ir their greatest cost Seek nothing but commending; Tell zeale it lacks devotion; And wish them not reply, Tell age it daily wasteth; Tell beauty how she blasteth; Tell wit how much it wrangles Straight give them both the lye. Tell physicke of her boldnesse; Tell fortune of her blindnesse; Tell justice of delay; And if they dare reply, Then give them all the lye. Tell arts they have no soundnesse, Tell schooles they want profoundnesse, If arts and schooles reply, Tell faith it 's fled the citie; Tell how the country erreth; Tell, manhood shakes off pitie; |