Venice masks

Sunday, 5 June 2011

Love - 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 entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
                                 If I lacked anything.

'A guest', I answered, 'worthy to be here.
                                 Love said, 'You shall be 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.
George Herbert (1593 – 1633) Wales

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