Fear oftentimes restraineth words, Our wealth leaves us at death, But virtues of the mind unto The heavens with us we have; I can be well content The sweetest time of all my life To deem in thinking spent. Thomas Vaux [1510-1556] MÆSIA'S SONG From "Farewell to Folly " SWEET are the thoughts that savor of content, The homely house that harbors quiet rest, Robert Greene [1560?-1592] THE MEANS TO ATTAIN HAPPY LIFE MARTIAL, the things that do attain The happy life be these, I find: The equal friend; no grudge, no strife; RISPOSTA THERE is a jewel which no Indian mines Unknown A CONTENTED MIND I WEIGH not fortune's frown or smile; I quake not at the thunder's crack; I see ambition never pleased; I see some Tantals starved in store; I see even Midas gape for more; I feign not friendship where I hate; This, this is ail my choice, my cheer,- Joshua Sylvester [1563-1618] THE HAPPY HEART From "Patient Grissell" ART thou poor, yet hast thou golden slumbers? Art thou rich, yet is thy mind perplexed? Dost thou laugh to see how fools are vexèd Then hey nonny nonny, hey nonny nonny! Canst drink the waters of the crispèd spring? Swimm'st thou in wealth, yet sink'st in thine own tears? Then he that patiently want's burden bears No burden bears, but is a king, a king! O sweet content! O sweet, O sweet content! Then hey nonny nonny, hey nonny nonny! Thomas Dekker [1570?-1641?] THE MILLER OF THE DEE THERE dwelt a miller, hale and bold, Beside the River Dee; He wrought and sang from morn till night, No lark more blithe than he; And this the burden of his song Forever used to be, "I envy no man, no, not I, And no one envies me!" "Thou'rt wrong, my friend!" said old King Hal, As wrong as wrong can be; For could my heart be light as thine, And tell me now what makes thee sing While I am sad, though I'm the King, The miller smiled and doffed his cap: I owe no one I cannot pay, I thank the River Dee, That turns the mill that grinds the corn To feed my babes and me!" "Good friend," said Hal, and sighed the while, "Farewell! and happy be; But say no more, if thou'dst be true, That no one envies thee. Thy mealy cap is worth my crown; Thy mill my kingdom's fee! Such men as thou are England's boast, Oh, miller of the Dee!" Charles Mackay [1814-1889] CORONATION At the king's gate the subtle noon Through the king's gate, unquestioned then, A beggar went, and laughed, "This brings Me chance, at last, to see if men Fare better, being kings." The king sat bowed beneath his crown, "Poor man, what wouldst thou have of me?" Uprose the king, and from his head Shook off the crown, and threw it by. "O man, thou must have known," he said, "A greater king than I.” Through all the gates, unquestioned then, Went king and beggar hand in hand. Whispered the king, "Shall I know when Before his throne I stand?" The beggar laughed. Free winds in haste At the king's gate, the crafty noon Out of their sleep in terror soon The guards waked one by one. |