She who one day was my guest
Shall be guest no more;
Dark the room that knew her best,
Closed and barred the door;
Every casement locked to her
Who was Sorrow's messenger.

Now forbidden is the place
That she knew of old,
Nevermore her gloomy face
Peers to scoff or scold,
With her cracked voice pitched to wheeze
Tales of drear despondencies.

O, she made thiShearth of mine
Like a funeral;
'Neath her eyes the fire's bright shine
Seemed to fade and fall;
When the sun was gold, her gloom
Made a shadow in the room.

Overlong she sat with me
Ere time made me wise,
Hearing in her company
Thrice told tales and lies
Of old miseries that grew,
Even as she told them, new.

Be it lack of courtesy,
Be it fault or sin,
Nevermore to mine and me
Shall she enter in,
Nevermore my hands shall press
Thine, O crone Unhappiness!

Light the lamps and set the feast,
Bid the music start,
O ye joys or great or least
Crowded from my heart,
Now I bid the dance begin—
Pray ye laugh and enter in.

Enter in, while Time endures,
Merry joys of earth,
Heart and house and home are yours,
Yours are roof and hearth.
Greet me, pledge me cup to lip
In your old-time fellowship.

I am free who once was slave,
Pray ye, friends, carouse
That this creature of the grave
Is forbid my house.
Laughter, lift your lips to me—
Kiss me, blue-eyed Comedy!