“SAID THE INNKEEPER” I cannot take these poor;/ They do not pay;/ They brand the house, they bring disgrace;/ I had to send the pair away . . ./ And yet, there was a strange look on her face,/ This girl who kept her eyes upon the floor,/ So strange I stopped a space/ Before I sent them from the door./ What could I do?/ A man must make a living while he may/ And trade is trade, and money, too,/ And sentiment is not, I say./ And yet this girl was strangely fair;/ She shivered in the doorway there,/ And once she raised her eyes to mine . . ./ I bowed; I would have knelt, I swear,/ But at the table some poor lout/ Made cry for wine/ And broke the spell . . ./ I saw the poorness of the pair/ And put them out./And I did well./ Two merchants took the great room overhead./ It is my principle: I buy and…
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