Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
George Herbert. 15931632286. Love
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 entrance in, | |
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning | 5 |
If I lack’d anything. | |
‘A guest,’ I answer’d, ‘worthy to be here:’ | |
Love said, ‘You shall be he.’ | |
‘I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear, | |
I cannot look on Thee.’ | 10 |
Love took my hand and smiling did reply, | |
‘Who made the eyes but I?’ | |
‘Truth, Lord; but I have marr’d them: let my shame | |
Go where it doth deserve.’ | |
‘And know you not,’ says Love, ‘Who bore the blame?’ | 15 |
‘My dear, then I will serve.’ | |
‘You must sit down,’ says Love, ‘and taste my meat.’ | |
So I did sit and eat. |