Love
by George Herbert

English metaphysical poet. The majority of his works were religious poems written in the last years of his life and were published in The Temple: Sacred poems and Private Ejaculations (1633). His notable poems include 'The Church Porch' a doctrinal poem, and 'The Altar' and 'Easter Wings', pattern poems where the lines form the shape of the subject. Other metaphysical poets include John Donne, Henry Vaughan and Andrew Marvell.

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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 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.

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Love by George Herbert