This is our second experimental effort at cataloguing multiple items in a single file. In the first instance we use the same index number for each item, and just used multiple entries for that file in the index. In this, the second instance, we have used separate index numbers for the collection and for all the entries in that collection. Let us know which you prefer. We have traditionally used the smallest number of index entries--as somewhat of a protest against others who have copied Etexts and wanted it to appear as if they had more Etext than Project Gutenberg or various other etext collections. We want to make our Etexts as easy as possible to find and work with, but, not to "pad" our work. However, we prefer to post short works for you in collections, to eliminate you having to download all 11 kilobytes of our header and "legal fine print" to get files of sizes less than the headers. Please email me on this. Thanks! Michael S. Hart, hart@pobox.com The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe October, 1997 [Etext #1064]* THE RAVEN Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-- While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. "'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door-- Only this and nothing more." Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow;--vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow--sorrow for the lost Lenore-- For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-- Nameless here for evermore. And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Thrilled me--filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating "'Tis some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door-- Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door; This it is and nothing more." Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, "Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore; But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, That I scarce was sure I heard you"--here I opened wide the door-- Darkness there and nothing more.