Once upon a midnight dreary while I pondered weak and weary Over many quaint curious volume of forgotten lore While nodded nearly napping suddenly there came tapping As some one gently rapping rapping at my chamber door. “ “'Tis visitor” muttered “tapping door— Only this nothing more.” Ah distinctly remember it was in the bleak December And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost floor. Eagerly wished morrow—vainly had sought to borrow From books surcease sorrow—sorrow for lost Lenore— For rare radiant maiden whom angels name Nameless here evermore. silken sad uncertain rustling purple curtain Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before So that now still beating heart stood repeating visitor entreating entrance Some late door— This is Presently soul grew stronger hesitating then no longer “Sir” said I “or Madam truly your forgiveness implore But fact is so you faintly tapping door That scarce sure heard you”—here opened wide Darkness there more. Deep into darkness peering long wondering fearing Doubting dreaming dreams mortals ever dared dream silence unbroken stillness gave token only word spoken whispered word “Lenore!” whispered an echo murmured back “Lenore!”— Merely Back turning all within burning Soon again somewhat louder than before. “Surely” “surely something window lattice Let see then what thereat this mystery explore— heart be moment explore— 'Tis wind Open flung shutter when flirt flutter In stepped stately raven saintly days yore. Not least obeisance made he not minute stopped or stayed But mien lord lady perched above Perched bust Pallas just Perched sat Then ebony bird beguiling fancy smiling By grave stern decorum countenance wore. “Though thy crest shorn shaven thou” said “art craven Ghastly grim ancient wandering from Nightly shore— Tell lordly on Night's Plutonian shore!” Quoth Raven “Nevermore.” Much marvelled ungainly fowl hear discourse plainly Though answer little meaning—little relevancy bore we cannot help agreeing living human being Ever yet blest seeing his Bird beast sculptured With such as sitting lonely placid bust spoke if he did outpour. Nothing further uttered—not feather fluttered— Till scarcely more “other friends have flown before— On morrow will leave me hopes before.” Startled broken by reply aptly spoken “Doubtless” “what utters stock store Caught unhappy master unmerciful Disaster Followed fast followed faster till songs burden bore— dirges Hope melancholy bore Of ‘Never—nevermore’.” Raven Straight wheeled cushioned seat front door Then velvet sinking betook myself linking Fancy unto fancy thinking ominous yore— What grim ungainly ghastly gaunt yore Meant croaking sat engaged guessing but syllable expressing To whose fiery eyes now burned bosom's core divining head ease reclining cushion's lining lamplight gloated o'er violet gloating She shall press ah nevermore! methought air denser perfumed unseen censer Swung Seraphim footfalls tinkled tufted “Wretch” cried “thy God hath lent thee—by these sent thee Respite—respite nepenthe memories Lenore Quaff oh quaff kind nepenthe forget Lenore!” “Prophet!” “thing evil!—prophet still devil!— Whether Tempter sent whether tempest tossed ashore Desolate undaunted desert land enchanted— home horror haunted—tell truly implore— Is there—is balm Gilead?—tell me—tell implore!” devil! Heaven bends us—by both adore— sorrow laden if distant Aidenn It clasp sainted Clasp Lenore.” “Be our sign parting fiend!” shrieked upstarting— “Get shore! Leave black plume token lie spoken! loneliness unbroken!—quit door! Take beak out take form off door!” flitting sitting pallid seeming demon's dreaming o'er him streaming throws shadow floor lies floating floor Shall lifted—nevermore!