A VISIT FROM ST.

NICHOLAS

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon woul be there;
The chilren were nestle all snug in their bes,
!hile visions of sugar plums anc' in their heas,
"n #ama in her 'kerchief, an I in my cap,
$a %ust settle our brains for a long winter's nap &
!hen out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the be to see what was the matter.
"way to the winow I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, an threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
'ave the luster of mi(ay to ob%ects below;
!hen, what to my wonering eyes shoul appear,
)ut a miniature sleigh, an eight tiny reineer,
!ith a little ol river, so lively an *uick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
#ore rapi than eagles his coursers they came,
"n he whistle, an shoute, an call' them by name+
,Now- .asher, now- .ancer, now- /rancer an 0i1en,
2n- Comet, on- Cupi, on- .oner an )lit3en;
To the top of the porch- To the top of the wall-
Now ash away- .ash away- .ash away all-,
"s ry leaves before the wil hurricane fly,
!hen they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house(top the coursers they flew,
!ith the sleigh full of toys & an St. Nicholas too+
"n then in a twinkling, I hear on the roof
The prancing an pawing of each little hoof.
"s I rew in my hea, an was turning aroun,
.own the chimney St. Nicholas came with a boun+
$e was ress' all in fur, from his hea to his foot,
"n his clothes were all tarnish' with ashes an soot;
" bunle of toys was flung on his back,
"n he look' like a peler %ust opening his pack+
$is eyes & how they twinkle- $is imples+ how merry,
$is cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
$is roll little mouth was rawn up like a bow,
"n the bear of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he hel tight in his teeth,
"n the smoke it encircle his hea like a wreath.
$e ha a broa face, an a little roun belly
That shook when he laugh', like a bowl full of %elly+
$e was chubby an plump, a right %olly ol elf,
"n I laugh' when I saw him in spite of myself;
" wink of his eye an a twist of his hea
Soon gave me to know I ha nothing to rea.
$e spoke not a wor, but went straight to his work,
"n fill' all the stockings; then turn' with a %erk,
"n laying his finger asie of his nose
"n giving a no, up the chimney he rose.
$e sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
"n away they all flew, like the own of a thistle+
)ut I hear him e1claim, ere he rove out of sight &
$appy Christmas to all, an to all a goo night.
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