Herbert: Love III

[tree_and_leaf]

OK, it's a total cliche, but it's a cliche because it's good..

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.

George Herbert

Comments

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

Funnily enough, Vaughan Williams's setting of this is coming up on my Spotify selection in a few minutes.

[expectare.livejournal.com]

That was played at my parents' wedding!

[tree_and_leaf]

I don't know it, I must admit (and must chase it up).

[schreibergasse.livejournal.com]

...and Choir Director sung it (at least, I /presume/ it was that setting) at communion.

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

It doesn't reach out to me as a piece of music as much as other Vaughan Williams compositions do, but another performance might be better.

[penwiper26.livejournal.com]

Yes! That poem is a staple -- for any season, really.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

[schreibergasse.livejournal.com]

He is risen indeed!

[tree_and_leaf]

Alleluia!

[tree_and_leaf]

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

[berkeleyfarm.livejournal.com]

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

(thank you for the poetry)

[tree_and_leaf]

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

(and you're welcome!)