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.

O Thou who has given us so much, mercifully grant us one thing more - a grateful heart.

George Herbert