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Poems

by William Ernest Henley

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278

[‘Felicity. Enquire within.]

‘Hic habitat Felicitas’

Felicity. Enquire within.
Truly the goddess is at home!’
So read, so thought, the rakes of Rome,
Some frail one's lintel fain to win.
And now it blares thro' bronze and tin,
Thro' clarion, organ, catcall, comb:
‘Felicity. Enquire within.
Truly the goddess is at home!’
For, tent or studio, bank or bin,
Platonic porch, Petræan dome,
Where'er our hobbies champ and foam,
Thereo'er the brave old sign we pin:
‘Felicity. Enquire within.’