Sunday, July 27, 2008

Love by George Herbert

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,

Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

From my first enter in.

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,

If I lacked anything.


A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:

Love said, You shall be (s)he.

I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,

I cannot look on thee.

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

Who made the eyes but I?


Truth Lord, but I have marred them: let my shame

Go where it doth deserve.

And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?

My dear, then I will serve.

You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:

So I did sit and eat.


From George Herbert, Oxford University Press, 1994

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