Wednesday, February 29, 2012

George Herbert (Mid-week Reflection)


George Herbert
Mid-week Reflection

Monday was the commemoration of George Herbert, Anglican poet, theologian, and parish priest, author of The Temple and The Country Parson.  Here is one of his poems: 

Love (III)
by George Herbert (1595-1633)

(from The Temple

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.

--Fr. Tony+ 

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