THE PULLEY
by: George Herbert (1593-1632)
- HEN 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 dispersèd 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.
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