The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-12-30
POETRY.
BY c. G. MOORE.

Inc AublOr OF bnlS lmmOrLaI poem, says
the Western Rai1rodd Gazette, was CLEMENT G.
MOORE, Esq, of New York, who wrote it for
his children. A friend of the family surrep-
titiously obtained a copy and published 1t,
greatly to that good gentleman's mortifca-
ton. This feeling was unnecessary, however
for it has rendered his name immortal, as
his really imaginative poem will probably be
OR should be-reprinted every Christmas to
the end of time]:
Twas the night before Christmas, when all
Not creature was stirring. not even'a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with
care, sey# 4-.e1 es,a
In hopes that st. Nicholas soon would be
there;
The children were nestled all snug in their
beds, M 3 s
While visions of sugar-plums danced through
their heads eflie
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and in my
cap, .s3a@ 4a1 @s#
Had just settled our brains for a long winters
nap; #t
When out on the lawn there arose such clat.
ter,
sprang from my bedtto see what was the
matter: pJ#. .5s2 81
Away to the window I flew like flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
The moon, on the breast of the new fallen
Gave the .lustre of midday to objects below
When, what to my wondering eyes should ap
pear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein.
deer, o aESI4,s
With little old driver. 80 lively and quick
l knew in moment it must be st. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they
came, sJ5 g4B ~ ~
And he whistled, and shouted, and called
Now, Dasher now, Dancer! now, Prarcer
On! Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blk
To the top of the porch to the top of the
wall .t.-..,, ts
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all =
AS dry leaves that before the wild hurricane
When they meet with an obstacle mount tc
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full OF toys-and st. Nichola.
And then in twinklingI heard on the roof
The prancing and paving of each little hooi
As 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 furnished with ashes
and SCOT;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like pedler just opening his
pack.
His eyes, how they twinkled his dimples'
how merryi a1
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a
cherry F;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a
bow,
Ana the beard on his chin was as white as the
The, stump of a pipe he held tight in his
teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a
wreath. <
He had broad face, and lite round belly
That, shook, when he laughed, like bowl
full Of jelly.
He was chubby and plump a right jolly old
And laughed when saw him, in spite of my
A wink of his eye. and twist of his head,
Soon gave me TO know. had nothing to
dread. at
lie spoke not Wotd, but went straight to his
work, 55l
And filed a11the stockings; then turned with
jerk, g ~. :.
And laying his finger aside of his nose.
And giving nod, up the chimney he rose,
He sprang to his Sleigh to his team gave
whistle, 81
And away they all flew like the down of
thistle
But heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of
sight,
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL
GOOD NIGHT ~