I joy not in no earthly bliss

I joy not in no earthly bliss,

I force not Crœsus' 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.