Love (III)

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."

"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.

—George Herbert (1593-1633)