4. Invitation

4

INVITATION

Come up to me at early dawn,
Come up to me, for I am drawn,
Belovèd, by my spirit’s spell,
To see the sons of Israël.
For thee, my darling, I will spread
Within my court a golden bed,
And I will set a table there
And bread for thee I will prepare,
For thee my goblet I will fill
With juices that my vines distil:
And thou shalt drink to heart’s delight,
Of all my flavours day and night.
The joy in thee I will evince
With which a people greets its prince.
O son of Jesse, holy stem,
God’s servant, born of Bethlehem!