Howells, Herbert: The House of the Mind


The House of the Mind (1954)

As earth’s pageant passeth by,
Let reflection turn thine eye
Inward, and observe thy breast.
There, alone, dwells solid rest.
That’s a close immurèd tower
Which can mock all hostile power:
To thyself 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
Heaven itself full room doth find.
Th’ infinite Creator can
Dwell in it, and may not man?
Here content make thy abode
With thyself and with thy God.

Words: Joseph Beaumont (1616–99)
Music: Herbert Howells (1892–1983)