Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HOUSE WITH THE PICTURE HUNG OVER THE DOOR, by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HOUSE WITH THE PICTURE HUNG OVER THE DOOR, by                    
First Line: "wherever we travel, by road or by rail"
Last Line: The house with the picture hung over the door
Subject(s): Home;travel; Journeys;trips


Wherever we travel, by road or by rail,
There's one thing we meet with as sure as the mail;
In town, or in country -- the Kingdom all o'er, --
"The house with the picture hung over the door."
Swinging to larboard,
Thence to starboard,
There is the picture hung over the door.

The picture is varied as any can be,
With tenants of heaven, of earth, and of sea;
An angel, a dragon, a prince, or a boar,
For "the house with the picture hung over the door."
Pig and Whistle,
Rose and Thistle,
Such are the pictures hung over the door.

A King's head, a Queen's head, a Nag's head as well,
An Eagle, a Lion, a Bull, or a Bell;
Jolly Smith, Jolly Tar, and a jolly lot more,
For "the house with the picture hung over the door."
Miner and Banker,
Crown and Anchor,
Such are the pictures hung over the door.

This house which was anciently honest and good,
Intended for shelter and lodging and food,
Has now an infection it had not of yore,
Tho' still there's fine pictures hung over the door,
Earl of Essex,
Duke of Sussex,
Beautiful pictures hung over the door.

* * *

Assembled within there are men of all grades,
And sometimes, O, shame on them! matrons and maids
Both gentle and simple, -- both wealthy and poor,
At "the house with the picture hung over the door."
Peer and Peasant,
Hare and Pheasant,
Such are the pictures hung over the door.

* * *

For ages and ages this nuisance has stood,
Promoting all evil, obstructing all good;
A pest and a curse from the roof to the floor,
This house with the picture hung over the door.
Why not exhibit
Gaol and Gibbet,
The pictures that ought to hang over the door?

The stuff you get there is not clothing or food;
It maddens the brain and it poisons the blood;
Then give up the liquor, and enter no more
"The house with the picture hung over the door."
Enter never --
Shun for ever
"The house with the picture hung over the door."





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