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.