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.
1.  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by George Herbert (1593 - 1633)
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Researcher for this page: Ted Perry2. Like to the Falling of a Star  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Like to the falling of a star, Or [as the flights]1 of eagles are; Or like the fresh spring's gaudy hue, Or silver drops of morning dew; Or like a wind that chafes the flood, Or bubbles which on water stood: Even such is man, whose borrowed [light]2 Is straight call'd in, and paid to night. The wind blows out, the bubble dies; The spring entombed in autumn lies. The dew dries up, the star is shot; The flight is past and man forgot.
Text Authorship:
- by Henry King (1592 - 1669), first published 1664
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Ainsi est la vie", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Note: author given as "Harry King" in the Bennett score.
1 Bennett: "like the flight"
2 Bennett: "plight"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 209