Account Of A Visit From St. Nicholas Poem by Clement Clarke Moore

Account Of A Visit From St. Nicholas

Rating: 3.2


'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 sight should appear,
But a miniature 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 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 look'd like a pedlar 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 bowlfull 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 fill'd 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 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."

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Fabrizio Frosini 25 December 2016

can't understand why this lovely poem has been posted twice.. and this one with '' Account Of '' before the title.. - btw, 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' is quite often known as 'The Night Before Christmas'. Attributed to Clement Clarke Moore and first published anonymously on Dec.23,1823, in a newspaper, this poem had a huge impact on the way people interpret the holiday season.

9 0 Reply
Susan Williams 25 December 2015

This poem must be the most well-known poem of all time! As many times as I have heard it as a child and read it to my children as a Mother, I have just today realized how extraordinarily well written it is. No wonder it has charmed generations of readers. Wouldn't it be something to write something that would be a source of worldwide joy hundreds of years after you've passed on?

19 0 Reply
* Sunprincess * 15 July 2014

.......this is my most favourite poem of all time......I have always Loved this poem....it's a true masterpiece....a true work of art....it's a delight to read, and holds a world of wonder for adults and children alike...I would love to have taken lessons from this poet....and you know, I never knew this was the name of this poem....I always thought it was ~ 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.....and I am so pleased I found it here on my favourite site!

1 1 Reply
Frank James Ryan Jr...fjr 10 December 2007

Epic work, that has thrilled the hearts & minds of Children and adults alike for scores upon scores of years! The soul of a family Christmas Eve is about tradition and memories that are indeliblly etched for a lifetime, as well as a childs gift of sharing those traditions with their own familes, one day.Clement C. Moore may not be the most popularly read Poet year round, but aside of Dickens Christmas Carol....i hold '''A Visit From St. Nicholas...a grassblade-close second as a most popularly read ^ revered Christmas tale! Merry Christmas 2007 Poemhunter's. ~ FjR ~

3 2 Reply
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Clement Clarke Moore

Clement Clarke Moore

New York City, New York
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