I weigh not fortune's frown or smile; I joy not much in earthly joys; I seek not state, I reck not style; I am not fond of fancy's toys: I rest so pleased with what I have, I wish no more, no more I crave. I quake not at the thunder's track; I tremble not at news of war; I swound not at the news of wrack; I shrink not at a blazing star; I fear not loss, I hope not gain, I envy none, I none disdain. I see ambition never pleased; I see some Tantals starved in store; I see gold's dropsy seldom eased; I see even Midas gape for more; I neither want nor yet abound,-- Enough's a feast, content is crowned. I feign not friendship where I hate; I fawn not on the great (in show); I prize, I praise a mean estate,-- Neither too lofty nor too low: This, this is all my choice, my cheer,-- A mind content, a conscience clear. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VERY EARLY SPRING by KATHERINE MANSFIELD JOHANNA PEDERSEN by KAREN SWENSON MY FAMILIAR DREAM by PAUL VERLAINE THE POET'S SONG FOR HIS WIFE by BRYAN WALLER PROCTER THE PRINCESS: SONG by ALFRED TENNYSON ADDRESS TO A CHILD DURING A BOISTEROUS WINTER EVENING by DOROTHY WORDSWORTH |