When God at first made man (George Herbert)

             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 dispersèd 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. 

--George Herbert, The Pulley

Blessings on Labor Day

from Our Lady of Mount Carmel!

Image source:  Chad Miller, The Creation of Man

Poem source