HERE I AM

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 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.

- George Herbert