The Two Inns

Coming to a little town,
The mountain's skirts within,
Two youthful travellers, seeking rest,
Looked round them for an Inn.

Of two rival Inns, the host,
Each, with a thousand offers,
Did the wayfarers accost.

To give offence to neither
Was their natural desire;
So, in the house of either,
Apartments one doth hire.

Of the mansions twain,
Each guest chooseth, for himself,
In which he will remain.

To a house that stretched
Around its ample courts.
Its broad front palatial,
One traveller resorts.

A quartered scutcheon shone
Over the lofty gate,
Sculptured deep in stone.

Less grand the other Inn
Appeared unto the sight,
But, comfort and good cheer within
Its patron's trust requite.

Chambers, its walls did screen,
Of pleasant temperature,
All light, and bright, and clean.

But its rival, the huge palace,
With its architecture bold,
Was narrow, dark and dirty,
And miserably cold.

A portal tall and sightly,--
Within inclement garrets,
With tiled roof covered slightly.

Its inmate comfortless,
Did a weary sojourn make;
And bewailed unto his comrade,
Next day, his sad mistake.

His friend thus answer gives:
"In like manner many a book
Its reader's hopes deceives."