The Pulley
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, 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 wearinessMay toss him to My breast.’