When God at first made the man,
Having a glass of blessing standing by;
Let us(said he) pour on him all we can.
Let the world's richest which dispersed lie,
Contract into a span.

So strength first made away, then beauty followed.
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 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.

-- G. Herbert

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