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!