Classic Poem

What is house, and what is home,
Where with Freedom Thou hast roome,
And Mayst to all Tyrants say,
This you cannot take away?
'Tis No Thing with Doors and Walls,
Which at every earthquake falls:
No fair Towers, whose Princely fashion
Is but Plunders invitation:
No stout Marble Structure, where
Walls Eternitie doe dare:
No Brasse Gates, no Bars of Steel,
Though Times Teeth they scorne to feel:
Brasse is not so bold as Pride
If on Powers Wings it ride;
Marbles not so hard as Spight
Arm'd with lawlesse Strength to fight.
Right, and just Possession, be
Potent Names, when Laws stand free:
But if once that Rampart fall,
Stoutest Theeves inherit all:
To be rich and weak 's a Sure
And sufficient forfeiture.
Seek no more abroad say I
House and Home, but turne thine eye
Inward, and observe thy Breast;
There alone dwells solid Rest.
That's a close immured Tower
Which can mock all hostile Power.
To thy selfe a Tenant be,
And inhabit safe and free.
Say not that this House is small,
Girt up in a narrow wall;
In a cleanly sober Mind
Heavn it selfe full Room doth find.
The Infinite Creator can
Dwell in it, and may not Man?
Contented here make thy abode
With thy selfe, and with thy God
Here, in this sweet Privacie
Maist Thou with thy selfe agree,
And keep House in Peace, though all
The Universes Fabrick fall.
No disaster can distresse Thee:
Nor no furie dispossesse Thee:
Let all war and plunder come,
Still mayst Thou dwell safe at home.
Home is every where to Thee
Who canst thine owne dwelling be.
Yea though ruthlesse Death assaile Thee,
Still thy Lodging will not faile Thee:
Still thy Soule 's thine owne, and She
To an House remov'd shall be,
An eternall House above
Wall'd, and Roof'd and Pav'd with Love.
There shall these Mudwalls of thine
Gallantly repair'd outshine
Mortall Stars: No stars shall be
In that Heavn, but such as Thee.