"Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"Eagerly I wished the morrow;--vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow--sorrow for the lost Lenore."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"Sorrow for the lost Lenore."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-- Nameless here for evermore."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"'T is some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door-- Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"Here I opened wide the door;-- Darkness there, and nothing more."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"'Surely,' said I, 'surely that is something at my window lattice; Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore.'"

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"Open here I flung the shutter."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

... "A stately Raven of the saintly days of yore.

Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door-- Perched, and sat, and nothing more."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"Wandering from the Nightly sh.o.r.e."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"Till I scarcely more than muttered, 'Other friends have flown before-- On the morrow _he_ will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'"

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking Fancy unto fancy."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er _She_ shall press, ah, nevermore!"

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"'Wretch,' I cried, 'thy G.o.d hath lent thee--by these angels he hath sent thee Respite--respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!'"

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"On this home by Horror haunted."