MY MIND TO ME A KINGDOM IS: Y minde to me a kingdome is, M Such perfect joye therein I find, As farre exceeds all earthly bliffe That world affords, or growes by kind: Though much I want that mofl men have, Yet doth my mind forbid me crave. Content I live, this is my stay, I feek no more than may fuffice, I fee how plenty furfeits oft, Mishap doth threaten most of all; They get, they toyle, they spend with care, Such cares my mind could never beare. I laugh not at anothers loffe, I grudge not at anothers gaine; Some have too much, yet ftill they crave, They poor, I rich; they beg, I give; My wealth is health and perfect eafe, Nor by defert to give offence: No princely pompe, no wealthy flore, No force to get the victory, No wily wit to falve a fore, No fhape to win a lovers eye: To none of thefe I yeeld as thrall, For why my mind defpifeth all. 1 I joy not at an earthy blisse, I weigh not Crefus' wealth a straw; For care, I care not what it is, I fear not fortunes fatall law; My mind is fuch as may not move For beauty bright or force of love. I wish not what I have at will, I kifs not where I wish to kill, The court, ne cart, I like, ne loath; Extreames are counted worst of all, The golden meane betwixt them both, Doth fureft fit, and fears no fall: This is my choyce, for why I finde, No wealth is like a quiet minde. THE WITCH OF WOKEY. I' N aunciente day's tradition fhowes A bafe and wicked elfe arofe, The Witch of Wokey hight: Oft have I heard the fearfull tale From Sue, and Roger of the vale, On fome long winter's night. Deep in the dreary difmall cell, Here fcreeching owls oft made their neft, No wholefome herb could here be found; And blifler'd every flock. སྙ Her haggard face was foull to fee; She nought devis'd, but neighbour's ill All in her prime, have poets fung, From Glafton came a lerned wight, Sich mifchief never had been known, He chauntede out his godlie booke, He croft the water, bleft the brooke, Then-pater nofter done; The ghaftly hag he sprinkled o'er; When lo! where flood a hag before, Now flood a ghaftly stone. |