As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
When they met without obstacle, mount to the sky,
So, up to the housetop 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 drew 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.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth and the smoke
Encircled his head like a wreath.
His eye how they twinkled!
His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses!
His nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up in a bow.
And, the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
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!
But, I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!"
--- Clement Clarke Moore, 1837.
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