The Pulley – George Herbert

When God at first made man,

Having a glass of blessings standing by—

Let us (said he) pour on him all we can;

Let the world’s riches which dispersed lie,

Contract into a span.

So strength first made a way;

Then beauty flow’d, then wisdom, honour, pleasure:

When almost all was out, God made a stay,

Perceiving that, alone, of all His treasure,

Rest in the bottom lay.

For if I should (said He)

Bestow this jewel also on My creature,

He would adore My gifts instead of Me,

And rest in nature, not the God of Nature:

So both should losers be.

Yet let him keep the rest,

But keep them with repining restlessness;

Let him be rich and weary, that at least

If goodness lead him not, yet weariness

May toss him to My breast.