Told me of a bleaker draught than I had ever felt before;

So that, while to rise objecting, I turned again and lay reflecting,

Through the crazy rattling sashes as the rain now came by dashes,—

I began to think the knocking at the panel of my door

Was the wind, and nothing more.

Soon again it came, and stronger; hesitating then no longer,—

“Girl,” I cried, “had you but listened, you could well have heard me snore,

“For the fact is, I was napping when so rudely you came rapping;

And if you again come tapping, tapping at my chamber door,

I will give you such a slapping as you never had before!”