Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
Poems of Sentiment: VI. Labor and RestContent
Robert Greene (15581592)From “Farewell to Follie,” 1617
S
The quiet mind is richer than a crown;
Sweet are the nights in careless slumber spent,—
The poor estate scorns Fortune’s angry frown:
Such sweet content, such minds, such sleep, such bliss,
Beggars enjoy, when princes oft do miss.
The cottage that affords no pride or care,
The mean, that ’grees with country music best,
The sweet consort of mirth’s and music’s fare.
Obscurèd life sets down a type of bliss;
A mind content both crown and kingdom is.