Gautama Dhamma

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, that most would have,
Yet still my mind forbids to crave.

I see how plenty suffers oft,
And hasty climbers soon do fall;
I see that those who are aloft
Mishaps doth threaten most of all
They get with toil, they keep with fear
Such cares my mind could never bear.

Content to 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 no life, nor dread my end.

My wealth is health and perfect ease;
My conscience clear my chief defence
I neither seek by bribes to please,
Nor by deceit to give offence
Thus do I live, thus will I die;
Would all did so as well as I.

Sir Edward Dyer (c. 1543-1607)