A Ravin’.

Once upon a midnight dreary, as I slumbered cross and weary,

Cross from several horrid boring books of theologic lore,

While they haunted me in napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some confounded rapping, rapping at my bedroom door.

“’Tis some rascal,” low I muttered, “who’s too screwed to find his door,—

Only this and nothing more!”

Ah! I vividly remember, it was in a cold December,

And of fire I had no ember till the price of coals should low’r;

Eagerly I wished the morrow; being broke, again I’ll borrow,