The Public-House Bar

"A BAR to Heaven, a door to Hell,
Whoever name it named it well

A BAR to manliness and wealth,
A door to want and broken health.

A BAR to honour, pride, and fame,
A door to sin and grief and shame.

A BAR to hope, a bar to prayer,
A door to darkness and despair.

A BAR to honoured useful life,
A door to brawling senseless strife.

A BAR to all that's true and brave,
A door to every drunkard's grave.

A BAR to joy that home imparts,
A door to tears and broken hearts.

A BAR to Heaven, a door to Hell,
Whoever name it, named it well."

Author Unknown