T 'was the night before Christmas
and all through the house
not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by
the chimney with care
in hopes that St. Nich
olas soon would be there.
The children were nestled
all snug in their beds
while vis ions of sugar plums
danced in their heads.
An d Mama in her kerchief
and I in my cap
Had just settled down for a
long winter's nap.
When out on the lawn
there rose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was
the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and
threw up the sash.
The moon on the crest
of the new -fallen snow
Gave a luster of midday
to objects below.
when what to my wondering
eyes should appear
but a miniature sleigh
and a tiny reindeer
with a little old driver so lively and quick
I knew in a moment
it must be st. Nick
more rapid than Eagles his cours
ers they came and he whistled and shouted
and called him by name now
Dasher now dancer now prancer and vixen on Comet,
on Cu pid, on Donner and Blitzen,
to the top of the porch,
to the top of the wall,
now dash away, dash away, dash away all.
As dry leaves that before
the wild hurricane fly
when they meet with an obstacle
mount to the sky,
so up to the housetop
the coursers they flew with a sleigh
full of toys
and Saint Nicholas too.
An d then in a twinkling
I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing
of each 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 tar nished
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 they twinkled,
his dimples how merry.
His cheeks were like roses,
his nose like a cherry.
His droll little mouth
was drawn 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,
an d the smoke it en
circled his head like a wreath.
He had broad face
and a little round belly that shook when he
laughed like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby an d 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
an d filled all the stockings then
and 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,
as he drove out of sight,
Happy Christmas to all,
and to all a good night.