Our Children's Songs With Illustrations

Share page



SONGS FOR BOYHOOD.		159

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore. Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or staid he ; But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door� Perched upon a bust of Pallas, just above my chamber door; Perched, and sat, and nothing more.	Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear dis�course so plaiuly, Though its answer little meaning�little relevancy bore; For we can not help agreeing that no living human being Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door� Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door, With such name as " Nevermore."



Then the ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiliug, By the grave and stern decorum of the counte�nance it wore, 'Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, " art sure no craven, Ghastly grim, and ancient Raven, wandering from the nightly shore� Tell me what thy lordly name is on the night's Plutonian bhore ?" Quoth the Raven, " Nevermore !"	But the Raven, sitting lonely on that placid bust, spoke only That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour. Nothing further then he uttered; not a feather then he fluttered; Till I scarcely more than muttered, " Other friends have flown before : On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before." Then the bird said, "Nevermore."