I Joy Not in No Earthly Bliss

"I Joy Not in No Earthly Bliss" (1588)

William Byrd (1540-1623) 

I joy not in no earthly bliss, 

I force not Croesus’ wealth a straw: 

For care, I know not what it is, 

I fear not Fortune’s fatal law. 

My mind is such as may not move,  

For beauty bright nor force of love. 

I wish but what I have at will, 

I wander not to seek for more. 

I like the plain, I climb no hill, 

In greatest storms I sit on shore 

And laugh at them that toil in vain, 

To get what must be lost again. 

I kiss not where I wish to kill, 

I feign not love where most I hate: 

I break no sleep to win my will, 

I wait not at the mighty’s gate: 

I scorn no poor, nor fear no rich; 

I feel no want, nor have too much. 

The court and cart I like nor loath, 

Extremes are counted worst of all; 

The golden mean between them both, 

Doth surest sit and fears no fall. 

This is my choice: for why? I find 

No wealth is like the quiet mind.