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.'