John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Sir Edward Dyer 1543?-1607 John Bartlett
| 1 |
| 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 which most would have, Yet still my mind forbids to crave. |
| MS. Rawl. 85, p. 17. 1 |
| 2 |
| 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, p. 17. |
| Note 1. There is a very similar but anonymous copy in the British Museum. Additional MS. 15225, p. 85. And there is an imitation in J. Sylvester’s Works, p. 651.—Hannah: Courtly Poets. 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 (A good mind possesses a kingdom).—Seneca: Thyestes, ii. 380. [back] |