Edward Dyer

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• My Minde to Me a Kindome 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.
  • MS. Rawl 85 (1588), p. 17. A very similar but anonymous copy is in the British Museum. Additional MS. 15225, p. 85. And there is an imitation in J. Sylvester’s Works, p. 651, Hannah, Courtly Poets. Compare:
    • My mind to me a kingdom is;
      Such perfect joy therein I find,
      As far exceeds all earthly bliss
      That God and Nature hath assigned.
      Though much I want that most
      would have,
      Yet still my mind forbids to crave.
      • Byrd: Psalmes, Sonnets, etc. 1588.
    • My mind to me an empire is,
      While grace affordeth health.
      • Robert Southwell (1560–1595), Loo Home.
    • "Mens regnum bona possidet" (translated as "A good mind possesses a kingdom"), Seneca, Thyestes, ii. 380.

• 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 have; they pine, I live.
  • MS. Rawl 85 (1588), p. 17.