Page:Poems Sharpless.djvu/109

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THE INN
Landlord, make what cheer you may,
I must be your guest to-day;
From a distant clime I come,
And I hasten to my home.

Ah! what journey's like to this
Where so few our presence miss!
Where no might of sage or king
One hour's tarriance may wring?

This cosy room that now I own
Shall cheer another when I've gone;
The fire as brightly leap and shine,
Delighting other eyes than mine.

Take this largess; give it free;
I am fain that there may be
Somewhere a tear or sigh the less
For my share of happiness.

Fret not, landlord, that thy guest
Tastes not of the very best;
In a journey such as mine,
What boots it, how I sleep or dine?

Whether care, with frowning face,
Take beside my chair her place,
Or if gentle smiling ease
Bring a thousand charms to please;

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