Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stiring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In the hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled, all snug in their beds.
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads
And Mama her 'kercheif, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang out of bed to see what was matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to the objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name.
"Now Dasher ! now, Dancer ! , now Prancer and Vixen !
On, Comet ! on Cupid! on Donner und Blitzen!
To the top of the poarch! to the top of the wall!
Now Dash away ! Dash away ! Dashaway all!"
As dry leaves before the hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle , mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of Toys and St. Nicholas too.
And then in a tinkling I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of eack little hoof
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys, He had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler , just opening his pack.
His eyes-how thet twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drewn up like a bow.
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe, he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath,
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump , a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A Wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread .
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filed all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod , up the Chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew Like the down of a thistle,
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night"
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