Poesie: George Herbert’s The Pulley

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 dispersèd 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 weariness
May toss him to My breast.”

~ George Herbert (1593 – 1633)