Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-ey*d Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack*d anything.
‘A guest,’ I answer*d, ‘worthy to be here’;
Love said, ’You shall be he.‘
’I, the unkind, the 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 marr*d 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.
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-ey*d Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack*d anything.
‘A guest,’ I answer*d, ‘worthy to be here’;
Love said, ’You shall be he.‘
’I, the unkind, the 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 marr*d 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.