FLOWERS WITHOUT FRUIT

Prune thou thy words; the thoughts control
  That o’er thee swell and throng:—­
They will condense within thy soul,
  And change to purpose strong.

But he who lets his feelings run
  In soft luxurious flow,
Shrinks when hard service must be done,
  And faints at every woe.

Faith’s meanest deed more favor bears,
  Where hearts and wills are weigh’d,
Than brightest transports, choicest prayers,
  Which bloom their hour, and fade.

_—­J.  H. Newman_

CONTENTMENT

My mind to me a kingdom is;
  Such perfect joy therein I find,
As far exceeds all earthly bliss
  That world affords, or grows by kind: 
Though much I want what most men have,
Yet doth my mind forbid me crave.

Content I live—­this is my stay;
  I seek no more than may suffice: 
I press to bear no haughty sway;
   Look—­what I lack, my mind supplies! 
Lo! thus I triumph like a king,
Content with that my mind doth bring.

I see how plenty surfeits oft,
   And hasty climbers soonest fall;
I see how those that sit aloft
   Mishap doth threaten most of all;
These get with toil, and keep with fear: 
Such cares my mind could never bear.

I laugh not at another’s loss;
   I grudge not at another’s gain;
No worldly wave my mind can toss;
   I brook that is another’s pain. 
I fear no foe:  I scorn no friend: 
I dread no death:  I fear no end.

Some have too much, yet still they crave;
   I little have, yet seek no more: 
They are but poor, though much they have,
   And I am rich, with little store. 
They poor, I rich:  they beg, I give: 
They lack, I lend:  they pine, I live.

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 storm I sit on shore,
And laugh at those that toil in vain,
To get what must be lost again. 
—­This is my choice; for why?—­I find
No wealth is like a quiet mind.

_—­Unknown_

THE SEARCH FOR PEACE

Sweet Peace, where dost thou dwell?  I humbly crave,
    Let me once know. 
  I sought thee in a secret cave,
    And ask’d, if Peace were there? 
A hollow wind did seem to answer, “No:—­
    Go seek elsewhere.”

I did; and going did a rainbow note: 
    Surely, thought I,
  This is the lace of Peace’s coat: 
    I will search out the matter. 
But while I look’d, the clouds immediately
    Did break and scatter.

Then went I to a garden, and did spy
    A gallant flower,
  The Crown Imperial:  Sure, said I,
    Peace at the root must dwell. 
But when I digg’d, I saw a worm devour
    What show’d so well.