May nothing evil cross this door,
And may ill fortune never pry
About these windows; may the roar
And rain go by.

By faith made strong, the rafters will
Withstand the battering of the storm.
This hearth, though all the world grow chill,
Will keep you warm.

Peace shall walk softly through these rooms,
Touching our lips with holy wine,
Till ev’ry casual corner blooms
Into a shrine.

With laughter drown the raucous shout,
And, though these sheltering walls are thin,
May they be strong to keep hate out
And hold love in.

