"dittie, are now framed in all parts for voyces to sing "the same. If thou desire songs of small compasse, and "fit for the reach of most voyces, here are most in num"ber of that sort. Whatsoever pains I have taken herein, "I shall think to be well employed if the same be well ac"cepted, musicke thereby the better loved, and the more "exercised. In the expressing of these songs either by "voyces or instruments, if there happen to be any jar or dissonance, blame not the printer, who I do assure thee "through his great pains and diligence, doth here deliver "to thee a perfect and true coppie. If in the composition “of these songs there be any fault by me committed, I desire the skilful, either with curtesie to let the same be “concealed, or in friendlie sort to be thereof admonished ; 1; "and at the next impression he shall find the error re“formed; remembering alwaies, that it is more easie to find a fault than to amend it. If thou find anything here "worthy of liking and commendation, give praise unto God, from whom as from a most pure and plentiful “fountain, all good gifts of science do flow; whose name "be glorified for ever. ** "The most assured friend to all that love or learn musicke, “WILLIAM BYrd.” I. My mind to me a kingdom is, Such perfect joy therein I find; That it excels all other bliss Which God or Nature hath assign'd. Yet still my mind forbears to crave. My wealth is health, and perfect ease; Nor by desert to give offence. II. I joy me not in earthly bliss; I force* not Croesus' wealth a straw; I fear not Fortune's fatal law. The court and cart I like nor loath, This and the foregoing number, of each of which I have only given two stanzas, are printed in full as one poem by Dr. Percy and Ritson, and attributed (on the authority of an ancient Manuscript in the Bodleian Library,) to Sir Edward Dyer, a friend of Sir Philip Sydney. The author seems to be of opinion with Solomon, that "Better is an "handful with quietness, than both hands full, with travail "and vexation of spirit."-Eccles. ii. 6. * Envy. |