Welcome! Enter! This is the Inn at the Cross Roads, Sign of the @3Rising Sun@1, of the @3World's End@1: Ay, O Wanderer, footsore, weary, forsaken, Knock, and we will open unto thee -- Friend. Gloomy our stairs of stone, obscure the portal; Burdened the air with a breath from the further shore; Yet in our courtyard plays an invisible fountain, Ever flowers unfading nod at the door. Ours is much company, and yet none is lonely; Some with a smile may pay and some with a sigh; So all be healed, restored, contented -- it is no matter; So all be happy at heart to bid good-bye. But know, our clocks are the world's; Night's wings are leaden; Pain languidly sports with the hours: have courage, sir! We wake but to bring thee slumber, our drowsy syrups Sleep beyond dreams on the weary will confer. Ghosts may be ours; but gaze thou not too closely If haply in chill of the dark thou rouse to see One silent of foot, hooded, and hollow of visage, Pause, with secret eyes, to peer out at thee. He is the Ancient Tapster of this Hostel, To him at length even we all keys must resign; And if he beckon, Stranger, thou too must follow -- Love and all peace be thine. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE AWAKENING by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE LANDSCAPE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS IN SAN MARCO, VENEZIA by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS SIGISMONDA AND GUISCARDO by GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO LYRICS TO IANTHE (2). LAMENT by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR THE SONG OF HIAWATHA: HIAWATHA'S FASTING by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW |