Part 1 — THE PULLEY
Reading edition
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 flowed, then wisdom, honor, 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.
George Herbert [1593-1633]