Love bade me welcome


Several years ago we visited Little Bemerton, not far from Salisbury.   George Herbert, priest and metaphysical poet, died there in 1633 - loved and lamented by his parishioners.  This is one of my favourite poems.   A conversation between the poet and Love - representing God


 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.

Comments

  1. DogwithnobrainOctober 29, 2020 at 3:05 AM

    We have visited Salisbury, but not this area. There is a "Wordsworth" in the Cathedral. I thought it the poet. But turns out not - but the Wordsworth it was, has a very beautiful tomb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JohnOctober 29, 2020 at 10:19 AM

      I love the Cathedral too - beautiful space.

      Delete

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