Clement Clarke Moore

"'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."

"Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen, "On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem; "To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! "Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

"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 pedler 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 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 That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly."

"But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight — "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!""