A visit from St. Nicholas

A visit from St. Nicholas

Title: A visit from St. Nicholas Author: Clement Clarke Moore Release Date: July 28, 2022 [EBook #68631] Language: English Original Publication: US: , United States: The Atlantic Monthly Press,1921. Credits: hekula03 and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.) Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,[4] In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of sugar-plums danced through their heads; And Mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winters nap, When out on the lawn there arose 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 breast of the new-fallen snow[5] Gave a lustre of midday to objects below, When what to my wondering eyes did appear, But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer, With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment he 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, Donder and Blixen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall![6] Now dash away! dash away! dash away, all! As 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 the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too And 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,[7] 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 pedler just opening his pack. His eyeshow 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 on 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[8] That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full 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 filled 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,[9] 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! ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 68631
Author: Moore, Clement Clarke
Release Date: Jul 28, 2022
Format: eBook
Language: English
Publisher: The Atlantic Monthly Press
Publication Date: 1921
Publisher Country: United States

Contributors

Illustrator: Ivins, Florence Wyman, 1881-1948