The night before Christmas

IT was 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,

In 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 mamma in her ‘kerchief, 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 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,

Gave a lustre of midday to objects below, When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

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!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

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,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, 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 on his chin was as white as 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. 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 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!” — Wires