My Mind to Me a Kingdom Is (unsourced)
(before 1581)
by Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford
The poem has been attributed to de Vere by Steven May,
but has also been published as the work of Edward Dyer.
My mind to me a kingdom is;
Such perfect joy therein I find
That it excels all other bliss
That world affords or grows by kind.
Though much I want which most men 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 each gazing eye;
To none of these I yield as thrall.
For why my mind doth serve for all.
I see how plenty suffers oft,
How hasty climbers soon do fall;
I see that those that are aloft
Mishap doth threaten most of all;
They get with toil, 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.
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, nor fawning 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;
And 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 chief 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!
This work was published before January 1, 1928, and is
in the public domain worldwide
because the author died at least 100 years ago.
Friends, I hope this poem bestows you with all the encouragement
you need to keep going in the direction of your dreams. May it be so.
Update on In The Shadow of Rainbows:
One more precious review on Amazon & Goodreads
Thanks, Connie. xoxo
5.0 out of 5 stars Verified Purchase A quiet book of life Reviewed in France on August 26, 2023 I have been reading Selma's poetry for a few years, and was looking forward to digging into her first book. In her foreword, she tells us to ask each poem if it would be ours. A great many of them answered, with a quiet nod or an exuberant bubble. Others offered a glance into scenes I would never have thought of in that way, if it hadn't been for Ms Martin's words. All in all, a great little book that I can't but recommend!
A heart that’s ever-expanding: selma ❤️❤️❤️
ABOUT THE TITLE OF MY SUNDAY PRESS SERIES:
a sundae is sweet
a soondae is salty
which of the treats
harmonizes your coffee
~ encouragement by Selma
- Wea’ve Written Weekly: W3 Prompt #106 - May 9, 2024
- A Reblog— Poetry Book Review: “Poetry Treasures 4” - May 8, 2024
- Share The Wealth: Joy is Our Natural State - May 6, 2024
Thanks Selma for sharing this wonderful poem filled with such wisdom. Happy Contented Sunday My Friend.
Aww. Appreciate the lovely visit. Glad you enjoyed my friend. XoXo
Cheers. Enjoy your day My Friend.
Such a beautiful poem and it ended so well. Congratulations on the review as well, Selma
All around thanks. Glad you liked that lovely poem. It put me in a good place so I needed to share it. Blessings.
Thank you so much for sharing it, Selma. Blessings to you too 💛
Love it.🙏🏼❤️
Aww. How lovely. It’s my pleasure to share. XoXo
such a beautiful share, Selma.
much appreciated 🙏🤍✨
I really took well to this poem. So glad you enjoyed it. Blessings.
blessings your way too… ✨
read it again now and glad I did…. 🙏🤍
Hi Selma, thank you for sharing this beautiful poem 💕. Congratulations on the review.
Very nice & interested you sharing post.
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.!
“a sundae is sweet
a soondae is salty
which of the treats
harmonizes your coffee”
Very nice written you,Selma!
Very cool. You 💗 thank you.
Yes okay ❣️
This is a beautiful poem!
So pleased to hear you say that because the moment I read it I knew I wanted to share it
with Yous ‘all 😜. Beautiful 😍 You.
Well we appreciate the share.
Nicely written short review, Selma! <3
I know. Short and sweet. Reviews don’t need to be long. Thanks, Cheryl. XoXo
Happy you liked this poem too, Robbie. Xoxo 😉