He kept no Christmas-house for once a yeere,
Each day his boards were fild with Lordly fare;
read more

He kept no Christmas-house for once a yeere,
Each day his boards were fild with Lordly fare;
He fed a rout of yeoman with his cheer,
Nor was his bread and beefe kept in with care;
His wine and beere to strangers were not spare,
And yet beside to all that hunger greved,
His gates were open, and they were there relived.

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the place of their self-content;
There are souls like read more

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the place of their self-content;
There are souls like stars that dwell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths
Where highways never ran,--
But let me live by the side of the road,
And be a friend to man.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by;
read more

Let me live in my house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by;
They are good, they are bad; they are weak, they are strong,
Wise, foolish,--so am I;
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of the road,
And be a friend to man.

Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging-place of wayfaring men;
that I might leave my people, and read more

Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging-place of wayfaring men;
that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all
adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

If my best wines mislike thy taste,
And my best service win thy frown,
Then tarry not, read more

If my best wines mislike thy taste,
And my best service win thy frown,
Then tarry not, I bid thee haste;
There's many another Inn in town.

A host in himself.

A host in himself.

Hospitality sitting with gladness.

Hospitality sitting with gladness.

What is there more kindly than the feeling between host and guest?

What is there more kindly than the feeling between host and guest?

The lintel low enough to keep out pomp and pride;
The threshold high enough to turn deceit aside;
read more

The lintel low enough to keep out pomp and pride;
The threshold high enough to turn deceit aside;
The doorband strong enough from robbers to defend;
This door will open at a touch to welcome every friend.