The Inn Of Life

As It was in the Beginning,--     Is Now,--     And...?      Anno Domini I.          *             *             *             *             *      "No room!      No room!     The Inn is full,     Yea--overfull.     No room have we     for such as ye--     Poor folk of Galilee,      Pass on! Pass on!"     "Nay then!--     Your charity     Will ne'er deny     Some corner mean,     Where she may lie unseen.     For see!--     Her time is nigh."     "Alack! And she     So young and fair!     Place have we none;     And yet--how bid ye gone?     Stay then!--out there     Among the beasts     Ye may find room,     And eke a truss     To lie upon."     Anno Domini 1913, etc., etc.          *             *             *             *             *      "No room!      No room!     No room for Thee,     Thou Man of Galilee!     The house is full,     Yea, overfull.     There is no room for Thee,--      Pass on! Pass on!     Nay--see!     The place is packed.     "We scarce have room     For our own selves,     So how shall we     Find room for Thee,     Thou Man of Galilee,--      Pass on! Pass on!     But--if Thou shouldst     This way again,     And we can find     So much as one small corner     Free from guest,     Not then in vain     Thy quest.     But now--     The house is full.      Pass on!"     Christ passes     On His ceaseless quest,     Nor will He rest     With any,     Save as Chiefest Guest.