ars torment,
But lives in peace, within himself content;
In thought, or act, accountable to none
But to himself, and unto God alone.

--Henry P. F. Lansdowne.

CONTENT I LIVE

My mind to me a kingdom is;
Such perfect joy therein I find
As far exceeds all earthly bliss
That God or nature hath assigned:
Though much I want that most would have,
Yet still my mind forbids to 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 what my mind doth bring.

I laugh not at another's loss,
I grudge not at another's gain;
No worldly wave my mind can toss;
I brook that as another's bane.
I fear no foe, nor fawn on friend.
I loathe not life, nor dread mine end.

My wealth is health and perfect ease;
My conscience clear my chief defense;
I never seek by bribes to please
Nor by desert to give offense.
Thus do I live, thus will I die;
Would all did so, as well as I.

--Edward Dyer. Alt. by William Byrd (1540-1625).

JUST AS GOD LEADS

Just as God leads me I would go;
I would not ask to choose my way;
Content with what he will bestow,
Assured he will not let me stray.
So, as he leads, my path I make,
And step by step I gladly take--
A child, in him confiding.

Just as God leads I am content;
I rest me calmly in his hands;
That which he has decreed and sent--
That which his will for me commands--
I would that he should all fulfill,
That I should do his gracious will
In living or in dying.

Just as God leads, I all resign;
I trust me to my Father's will;
When reason's rays deceptive shine,
His counsel would I yet fulfill;
That which his love ordained as right
Before he brought me to the right
My all to him resigning.

Just as God leads me, I abide
In faith, in hope, in suffering true;
His strength is ever by my side--
Can aught my hold on him undo?
I hold me firm in patience, knowing
That God my life is still bestowing--
The best in kindness sending.

Just as God leads I onward go,
Out amid thorns and briers keen;
God does not yet his guidance show--
But in the end it shall be seen.