Robert Greene

[1560(?)–1592]

Content

[138. Robert Greene]

Sweet are the thoughts that savour of content,

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 homely house that harbours quiet rest,

The cottage that affords no pride nor care,

The mean that ’grees with country music best,

The sweet consort of mirth and modest fare,

Obscurèd life sets down a type of bliss:

A mind content both crown and kingdom is.