Thursday, June 11, 2009

Corpus Christi: "...So I did sit and eat."

















George Herbert, great Anglican poet and priest has written many beautiful texts.  Few can match the following which sums up for me the heart of the Eucharist: Christ's real presence in His Body and Blood:

LOVE III

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,
Guiltie of dust and sinne,
But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetlly questioning,
If I lack'd any thing.

A guest, I answer'd, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkinde, ungrateful? Ah my deare,
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, sayes Love, who bore the blame?
My deare, then I will serve.
You must sit down, sayes Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.

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