George Herbert(1593–1633)

The Pulley

W h e n G o d a t first m a d e m a n ,

H a v i n g a glass of b l e s s i n g s s t a n d i n g by,

"Let us, said h e , "pour on h i m all we c a n .

Let t h e world's r i c h e s , w h i c h d i s p e r s e d lie,

C o n t r a c t i n t o a span.9

So s t r e n g t h first m a d e a way;

T h e n b e a u t y f l o w e d , t h e n w i s d o m , h o n o r , p l e a s u r e .

W h e n a l m o s t all w a s o u t , G o d m a d e a stay,

P e r c e i v i n g that, a l o n e of all his treasure,

Rest in the bottom lay.remainder; repose

"For if I s h o u l d , " said h e ,

" B e s t o w this j e w e l a l s o o n m y creature,

H e w o u l d a d o r e m y gifts i n s t e a d o f m e ,

A n d rest i n N a t u r e , n o t t h e G o d o f N a t u r e ;

So b o t h s h o u l d losers be.

"Yet let h i m k e e p t h e rest,

B u t k e e p t h e m w i t h r e p i n i n g r e s t l e s s n e s s .

Let h i m be rich a n d weary, that at least,

If g o o d n e s s l e a d h i m n o t , yet w e a r i n e s s

M a y toss h i m to my breast.