J McCrae read by Classic Poetry Aloud:

http://www.classicpoetryaloud.com/

Giving voice to the poetry of the past.

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Mine Host

by John McCrae (1872 – 1918)

There stands a hostel by a travelled way;

Life is the road and Death the worthy host;

Each guest he greets, nor ever lacks to say,

"How have ye fared?" They answer him, the most,

"This lodging place is other than we sought;

We had intended farther, but the gloom

Came on apace, and found us ere we thought:

Yet will we lodge. Thou hast abundant room."

Within sit haggard men that speak no word,

No fire gleams their cheerful welcome shed;

No voice of fellowship or strife is heard

But silence of a multitude of dead.

"Naught can I offer ye," quoth Death, "but rest!"

And to his chamber leads each tired guest.

First aired: 18 August 2008

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Reading © Classic Poetry Aloud 2008