Ralph Vaughan Williams - Love bade me welcome - текст песни (слова)

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, 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. 

 Lyrics: George Herbert (1593-1633) , "Love Bade Me Welcome", from "The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations", published 1633.