Metaphysical poetry is often characterized by an extended metaphor called a conceit. In this poem, Herbert uses the metaphor of the pulley to illustrate balance in man's relationship with God. Discussing the Creation of Man (humans), God gives man strength, beauty, wisdom, honor, and pleasure, but withholds rest. God reasons that if He gave man everything, man would only worship his gifts and Nature (the world). By withholding rest, man can become tired, restless, or weary. This is when man will turn to God. Therefore, God's gifts make man comfortable in nature, but man's restlessness makes him reach for something spiritual. Thus, there is a balance (pulley) between the world (nature) and God. This is a balance between the physical world and the metaphysical realm.
Many metaphysical poems deal with abstract notions, philosophical ideas, or religious matters. This poem is about the Creation and the relationship between man and God. That relationship is spiritual and therefore "above" (meta) the physical. God creates humans in such a way that they will be pulled by the world and pulled toward Himself:
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.
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