Love (III)

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,
     Guiltie of dust and sinne.
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.

— George Herbert, from The Temple (1633)