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Friday, March 10, 2006

The Pulley - George Herbert

Though I didn't take away much from my school, the few things that I have, I treasure. This poem, for instance, yes, my love for literature and, the knowledge of how education systems shouldn't be!

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.”

George Herbert 1593-1633

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