Christmas


 * 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, **
 * 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 their brains for a long winter’s nap. **


 * When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, **
 * I sprang from the 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 the lustre of mid-day to 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 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, 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 house-top 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, **
 * 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, **
 * 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 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! **

===I did not write this.===
 * 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!" **