Sweet Content

By Thomas Dekker

1575-1641

ART thou poor, yet hast thou golden slumbers?
         O sweet content!
Art thou rich, yet is thy mind perplex'd?
         O punishment!
Dost thou laugh to see how fools are vex'd
To add to golden numbers golden numbers?
         O sweet content! O sweet, O sweet content!
Work apace, apace, apace, apace;
Honest labour bears a lovely face;
Then hey nonny nonny--hey nonny nonny!

Canst drink the waters of the crisped spring?
         O sweet content!
Swim'st thou in wealth, yet sink'st in thine own tears?
         O punishment!
Then he that patiently want's burden bears,
No burden bears, but is a king, a king!
         O sweet content! O sweet, O sweet content!
Work apace, apace, apace, apace;
Honest labour bears a lovely face;
Then hey nonny nonny--hey nonny nonny!

DayPoems Poem No. 205
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/205.html">Sweet Content by Thomas Dekker</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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