The Last Landlord

You who dread the cares and labors   Of the tenant’s annual quest,   You who long for peace and rest, And the quietest of neighbors,   You may find them, if you will,   In the city on the hill. One indulgent landlord leases   All the pleasant dwellings there;   He has tenants everywhere,— Every day the throng increases;   None may tell their number, yet   He has mansions still to let. Never presses he for payment;   Gentlest of all landlords he;   And his numerous tenantry Never lack for food or raiment.   Sculptured portal, grassy roof, All alike are trouble-proof. Of the quiet town’s frequenters,   Never one is ill at ease;   There are neither locks nor keys, Yet no robber breaks or enters;   Not a dweller bolts his door,   Fearing for his treasure-store. Never sound of strife or clamor   Troubles those who dwell therein;   Never toil’s distracting din, Stroke of axe, nor blow of hammer;   Crimson clover sheds its sweets   Even in the widest streets. Never tenant old or younger   Suffers illness or decline;   There no suffering children pine; There comes never want nor hunger;   Woe and need no longer reign; Poverty forgets its pain. Turmoil and unrest and hurry   Stay forevermore outside;   By the hearts which there abide Wrong, privation, doubt, and worry   Are forgotten quite, or seem   Only like a long-past dream. Never slander nor detraction   Enters there, and never heard   Is a sharp or cruel word; No unworthy thought or action,   Purpose or intent of ill   Knows the city on the hill. There your mansion never waxes   Out of date, nor needs repairs;   There intrude no sordid cares; There are neither rent nor taxes;   And no vexed and burdened brain   Reckons either loss or gain. Wanderers, tired with long endeavor,   You whom, since your being’s dawn,   With the stern command “Move on!” Ruthless Fate has tracked forever,   Here at last your footsteps stay   With no dread of moving-day!