The Pulley
by George Herbert

English metaphysical poet. The majority of his works were religious poems written in the last years of his life and were published in The Temple: Sacred poems and Private Ejaculations (1633). His notable poems include 'The Church Porch' a doctrinal poem, and 'The Altar' and 'Easter Wings', pattern poems where the lines form the shape of the subject. Other metaphysical poets include John Donne, Henry Vaughan and Andrew Marvell.

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The Pulley
by George Herbert

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.

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The Pulley by George Herbert