The Pulley by Alice Meynell — Read

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.'