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
Other Ralph Vaughan Williams songs:
all Ralph Vaughan Williams songs all songs from 1911