Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eye?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, 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.