To Eight Who Were Charming

 or 

The Impromptu

I came as a stranger

To toilers at strain,

All wary of dancing

The old scene again.

Though tired of trying

And dark with despair,

You put by your troubles

And welcomed me there.

With no claim upon you

Of clanship or kin,

I came as a stranger

You welcomed me in,

With sweetness of friendship

That lives in my mind,

With beauty of welcome

A king had found kind.

For this, let me wish you

Through all of your days,

Adorers to love you

And lovers to praise,

And parts to delight you,

And poets to see,

And welcome as lovely

As yours was to me,

Wherever you be.

John Masefield