This poem appears in our free booklet, Sacred Verse and Hymns: George Herbert’s Works of Love and Praise.
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 any thing.
“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.
Image: Statue of George Herbert at Salisbury Cathedral (Source).
