Who occupies this House?

Who occupies this House?
A Stranger I must judge
Since No one knows His Circumstance —
'Tis well the name and age

Are writ opon the Door
Or I should fear to pause
Where not so much as Honest Dog
Approach encourages —

It seems a Curious Town —
Some Houses very old,
Some — newly raised this Afternoon,
Were I compelled to build

It should not be among
Inhabitants so still
But where the Birds assemble
And Boys were possible

Before Myself was born
'Twas settled, so they say,
A Territory for the Ghosts —
And Squirrels, formerly.

Until a Pioneer, as
Settlers often do
Liking the quiet of the Place
Attracted more unto —

And from a Settlement
A Capitol has grown
Distinguished for the gravity
Of every Citizen —

The Owner of this House
A Stranger He must be —
Eternity's Acquaintances
Are mostly so — to me —