Along With George Herbert

[Mehran]

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The Pulley

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,Honor,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."

* * *

Easter Wings

Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store,
Though foolishly he lost the same,
Decaying more and more,
Till he became
Most poor:
With thee
O let me rise
As larks, harmoniously,
And sing this day thy victories:
Then shall the fall further the flight in me.

My tender age in sorrow did begin:
And still with sicknesses and shame
Thou didst so punish sin,
That I became
Most thin.
With thee
Let me combine
And feel this day thy victory:
For, if I imp my wing on thine,
Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

George Herbert
1593 - 1633