Living
The House-keeper
From The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb, IV: Poems and Plays, ed. E. V. Lucas
The frugal snail, with fore-cast of repose,
Carries his house with him, where'er he goes;
Peeps out--and if there comes a shower of rain,
Retreats to his small domicile amain.
Touch but a tip of him, a horn--'tis well--
He curls up in his sanctuary shell.
He's his own landlord, his own tenant; stay
Long as he will, he dreads no Quarter Day.
Himself he boards and lodges; both invites,
And feasts, himself; sleeps with himself o' nights.
He spares the upholsterer trouble to procure
Chattles; himself is his own furniture,
And his sole riches. Wheresoe'er he roam--
Knock when you will--he's sure to be at home.
Cite this poem
MLA
Lamb, Charles. “The House-keeper.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/lamb/79/.
Chicago
Lamb, Charles. “The House-keeper.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/lamb/79/.
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