Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
George Herbert. 15931632285. 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. | 5 |
So strength first made a way, | |
Then beauty flow’d, 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. | 10 |
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. | 15 |
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. | 20 |