For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best,
Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.

For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best,
Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.

A host in himself.

A host in himself.

Ah me, why did they build my house by the road to the market
town?

Ah me, why did they build my house by the road to the market
town?

He kept no Christmas-house for once a yeere,
Each day his boards were fild with Lordly fare;
read more

He kept no Christmas-house for once a yeere,
Each day his boards were fild with Lordly fare;
He fed a rout of yeoman with his cheer,
Nor was his bread and beefe kept in with care;
His wine and beere to strangers were not spare,
And yet beside to all that hunger greved,
His gates were open, and they were there relived.

What is there more kindly than the feeling between host and guest?

What is there more kindly than the feeling between host and guest?

No one can be so welcome a guest that he will not become an
annoyance when he has stayed read more

No one can be so welcome a guest that he will not become an
annoyance when he has stayed three continuous days in a friend's
house.
[Lat., Hospes nullus tam in amici hospitium diverti potest,
Quin ubi triduum continuum fuerit jam odiosus siet.]

If my best wines mislike thy taste,
And my best service win thy frown,
Then tarry not, read more

If my best wines mislike thy taste,
And my best service win thy frown,
Then tarry not, I bid thee haste;
There's many another Inn in town.

There is no hospitality like understanding.

There is no hospitality like understanding.

True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd,
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.

True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd,
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.