Christmas Eve (A visit from St Nicholas)

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. It's Christmas Eve Anything can happen on Christmas Eve The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!" It's Christmas Eve Anything can happen on Christmas Eve And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; It's Christmas Eve Anything can happen on Christmas Eve He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT! HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!