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

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

True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd,
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.

True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd,
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.

My master is of churlish disposition
And little recks to find the way to heaven
By doing read more

My master is of churlish disposition
And little recks to find the way to heaven
By doing deeds of hospitality.

I am your host.
With robber's hands in my hospitable favors
You should not ruffle thus.

I am your host.
With robber's hands in my hospitable favors
You should not ruffle thus.

For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best,
Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.

For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best,
Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.

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.

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.

Hospitality sitting with gladness.

Hospitality sitting with gladness.