Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE INN OF LIFE by WILLIAM ARTHUR DUNKERLEY

First Line: NO ROOM! NO ROOM!
Last Line: SAVE AS CHIEFEST GUEST.
Subject(s): RELIGION; THEOLOGY;

As it was in the Beginning, --
Is Now, --
And ............?

@3Anno Domini I@1
"No room!
No room!
The Inn is full,
Yea -- overfull.
No room have we
For such as ye --
Poor folk of Galilee,
Pass on! Pass on!"

"Nay then! --
Your charity
Will ne'er deny
Some corner mean,
Where she may lie unseen.
For see! --
Her time is nigh."

"Alack! And she
So young and fair!
Place have we none;
And yet -- how bid ye gone?
Stay then -- out there
Among the beasts
Ye may find room,
And eke a truss
To lie upon."

@3Anno Domini 1913, etc., etc.@1
"No room!
No room!
No room for Thee,
Thou Man of Galilee!
The house is full,
Yea, overfull.
There is no room for Thee, --
Pass on! Pass on!

Nay -- see!
The place is packed.
We scarce have room
For our own selves,
So how shall we
Find room for Thee,
Thou Man of Galilee, --
Pass on! Pass on!

But -- if Thou shouldst
This way again,
And we can find
So much as one small corner
Free from guest,
Not then in vain
Thy quest.
But now --
The house is full.
Pass on!"

Christ passes
On His ceaseless quest,
Nor will He rest
With any,
Save as Chiefest Guest.



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