The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson (Vailima ed.)/Volume 8/New Poems/The New House

by Robert Louis Stevenson

CLXX

THE NEW HOUSE

IS the house not homely yet?⁠
There let pleasant thoughts be set:
With bright eyes and hurried feet,
There let severed friendships meet,
There let sorrow learn to smile,
And sweet talk the nights beguile.

Thus shall each, a friendly elf,
Leave you something of himself,
Something dear and kind and true,
That will stay and talk with you.

They shall go, but one and all
Leave their faces on the wall,
Leave brave words of hope and love
Legendwise inscribed above.