'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the ice
Not a creature was stirring, not even a Heisz;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Holloway soon would be there;
The Middegaals were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And Libby in her 'kerchief, and Dale in his cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
Richie sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he 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 his wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and goin’,
Richie knew in a moment it must be St. Owen.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, DUIKER! now, DUKER! now, GOULDY and KADEN!
On, COLE! on SAMMY! on, JAKER and AYDEN!
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. Holloway too.
And then, in a twinkling, Richie heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As he drew in his hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Holloway came with a bound.