"'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 Saint Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And, Ma 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 arouse 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 the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer!
With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick!
More faster than eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name,...
'On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen, --- to the top of the house, to the top of the wall! Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!'
As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet without obstacle, mount to the sky,
So, up to the house top the reindeer they flew, with a sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas too!
And, then, in a twinkling I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each tiny hoof.
As I pulled in my head and was turning around, down the chimney Saint 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.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth and the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
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 the snow.
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 nod of his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work.
He filled every stocking, then turned with a jerk.
And, laying his finger beside his nose and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sled, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew, like the down of a thistle!
And, I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
--- Clement C. Moore, --- December 23, 1823.
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