by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
I weigh not Fortune's frown nor smile
Language: English
I weigh not Fortune's frown nor smile, I joy not much in earthly joys, I seek not state, I reak [sic] 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 tremble not at noise of war, I quake not at the thunder’s crack, I shrink not at a blazing star, I sound not at the news of wreck, I fear no loss, I hope no gain, I envy none, I none disdain. I see Ambition never pleased, I see some Tantals starve in store, I see gold’s dropsy seldom eased, I see each 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 for grace, I prize, I praise a mean estate Ne yet too lofty, nor too base, This is all my choice, my cheer — A mind content and conscience clear.
Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. by A. H. Bullen, London, John C. Nimmo, 1887, pages 47-48.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Orlando Gibbons (1583 - 1625), "I weigh not Fortune's frown nor smile", published 1612 [madrigal], from First Set of Madrigals, chorus [ sung text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2014-02-25
Line count: 24
Word count: 169