892 br br Who occupies this House? br A Stranger I must judge br Since No one know His Circumstance— br 'Tis well the name and age br br Are writ upon the Door br Or I should fear to pause br Where not so much as Honest Dog br Approach encourages. br br It seems a curious Town— br Some Houses very old, br Some—newly raised this Afternoon, br Were I compelled to build br br It should not be among br Inhabitants so still br But where the Birds assemble br And Boys were possible. br br Before Myself was born br 'Twas settled, so they say, br A Territory for the Ghosts— br And Squirrels, formerly. br br Until a Pioneer, as br Settlers often do br Liking the quiet of the Place br Attracted more unto— br br And from a Settlement br A Capital has grown br Distinguished for the gravity br Of every Citizen. br br The Owner of this House br A Stranger He must be— br Eternity's Acquaintances br Are mostly so—to me.