[stylist] Fw: We all quote this

[Judith Bron]

We all quote this at sometime during the holidays, but for many it may have 
been years since you read the real thing.  Judith
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nancy Lynn" <freespirit52 at charter.net>
To: "Missouri Chat List" <chat at moblind.org>; "Mikes Mess List" 
<Mikesmess2 at mikesmess.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2010 8:20 PM
Subject: in case you need this for some reason


>A Visit from St. Nicholas
>
> '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 Mama 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 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 minature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
> 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! Donder 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 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 was 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 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 sprung 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.
>
>