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 disperséd lie, Contract into a span.' 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. '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.' |