Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE INN OF LIFE, by WILLIAM ARTHUR DUNKERLEY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE INN OF LIFE, by                    
First Line: No room! No room!
Last Line: Save as chiefest guest.
Alternate Author Name(s): Oxenham, John
Subject(s): Religion; Theology


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

Anno Domini I
"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."

Anno Domini 1913, etc., etc.
"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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