My mind to me a kingdom is (William Byrd)

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• (Posted 2003-06-30)  CPDL #05284:        (Sibelius 4)

Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2003-06-30).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 92 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Revised Sept 08.

General Information

Title: My mind to me a kingdom is
Composer: William Byrd
Number of voices: 5vv   Voicing: SAATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

    Manuscript 1580 in Dow Partbooks, no. 117
First published: 1588 in Psalmes, sonets & songs…, no. 14
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text

My minde to me a kingdome is,
such perfect joy therin I find,
That it excells all other blisse,
which God or Nature hath assign’d.
Though much I want, that most would have,
yet still my mind forbids to crave.

No princely port nor welthie store,
no force to winne a victorie,
no wyly wit to salve a sore,
no shape to winne a loving eye:
to none of these I yeld as thrall,
for why my minde despise them all.

I see that plentie surfeits oft,
and hastie clymbers soonest fall:
I see that such as are a loft,
mishap doth threaten most of all:
these get with toyle and keepe with feare,
such cares my minde can never beare.

I presse to beare no haughtie sway,
I wish no more then may suffice:
I doe no more than well I may,
look what I want my minde supplies,
loe thus I triumph like a King,
my minde content with any thing.

I laugh not at anothers losse,
nor grudge not at anothers gaine:
no worldly waves my minde can tosse,
I brooke that is anothers bane:
I feare no foe nor fawne on friend,
I loth not lyfe nor dread mine end.

My wealth is health and perfect ease,
and conscience cleere my chiefe defence,
I never seeke by brybes to please,
nor by desert to give offence:
thus doe I live, thus will I dye,
would all did so as well as I.

Sir Edward Dyer (1543-1607)