I joy not in no earthly bliss (William Byrd)

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• CPDL #5283:
  

Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2003-06-30).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 90 kbytes   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Revised August 08

General Information

Title: I joy not in no earthly bliss
Composer: William Byrd

Number of voices: 5vv   Voicing: SATTB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: a cappella
Published: Psalmes, sonets, & songs... (1588), no.11

Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

English text

I joy not in no earthly blisse,
I force not Cressus welth a straw:
For care I know not what it is,
I feare not Fortunes fatall law.
My mind is such as may not move,
for beautie bright nor force of love.

I wish but what I have at will,
I wander not to seeke for more:
I like the plaine I clime no hill,
in greatest stormes I sit on shore:
and laugh at them that toyle in vaine,
to get what must bee lost againe.

I kisse not where I wish to kill,
I faine not love where most I hate:
I breake no sleepe to winne my will,
I waite not at the mighties gate:
I scorne no poore nor feare no rich,
I feele no want no have to much.

The Court and cart I like nor loath,
extreames are counted worst of all:
the golden meane beetweene them both,
doth surest sit and feare no fall:
this is my choyce, for why I finde,
no wealth is like the quiet minde.

attrib. Sir Edward Dyer (1543-1607)