Poetry That Inspires Me (Poem a Day)

The Pulley by George Herbert

When God as first made man,

Have a glass of blessings standing by--

Let us (said he) pour on his way all we can;

Let the world's riches, which dispersed lie,

Contract into a span.

So strength first made a way,

The beauty flowed, then wisdom, honor, pleasure:

When almost all was out, God made a stay,

Percieving that, alone of all His treasure,

Rest in the bottom lay.

For if I should (said he)

Bestow this jewel 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 him 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.