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.