22. The Pulley

WHEN God at first made man,

Having a glasse of blessings standing by

Let us,’ said He, ‘poure on him all we can;

Let the world’s riches, which dispersed lie,

Contract into a span.’

So strength first made a way;

Then beautie flow’d, then wisdome, honour, pleasure;

When almost all was out, God made a stay,

Perceiving that, alone of all His treasure,

Rest in the bottome lay.

‘For if I should,’ said He,

‘Bestow this jewell also on My creature,

He would adore My gifts in stead 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 restlesnesse;

Let him be rich and wearie, that at least,

If goodnesse leade him not, yet wearinesse

May tosse him to My breast.’