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SONGS FOR BOYHOOD. |
159 |
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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." |
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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." |
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