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 dispersed
lie,
Contract into a span."
So strength first made a way;
Then beauty flowed, 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.
"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.
"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."
