When God at first made man,
Having a glasse of blessings standing by;
Let us (he said) poure on him all we can;
Let the wotld’s riches, which dispers-ed lie,
Contract into a span.
So strength first made a way;
Then beautie flow’d, then wisdome, honour, pleasure:
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that alone of all his treasure,
Rest in the bottome lay.
For if I should (said he)
Bestowe this jewell 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 restlessnesse;
Let him be rich and wearie, that at least,
If goodnesse leade him not, yet wearinesse
May tosse him to my breast.
Mismeret 