And you came so softly rapping, rapping at the parlour-door;

Mary, scarcely could I hear you,” then I went unto the door—

Darkness there, and nothing more!

Scarcely had I got me seated, feeling still all over-heated,

When again I heard the rapping louder than it was before,

“Bless me!” said I, “This again, something’s at the window-pane,

Now some knowledge I’ll obtain of this strange mysterious bore;

Courage, heart! a single moment, while this mystery I explore.

’Tis the wind, and nothing more!”

Scarce the words my tongue had spoken, scarce the silence I had broken,