And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted--nevermore! [Illustration] "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore." [Illustration] "Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor." [Illustration] "Eagerly I wished the morrow;--vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow--sorrow for the lost Lenore." [Illustration] "Sorrow for the lost Lenore." [Illustration] "For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-- Nameless here for evermore." [Illustration] "'T is some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door-- Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door." [Illustration] "Here I opened wide the door;-- Darkness there, and nothing more." [Illustration] "Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before." [Illustration] "'Surely,' said I, 'surely that is something at my window lattice; Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore.'" [Illustration] "Open here I flung the shutter." [Illustration] ... "A stately Raven of the saintly days of yore. Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he." [Illustration] "Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door-- Perched, and sat, and nothing more." [Illustration] "Wandering from the Nightly shore." [Illustration] "Till I scarcely more than muttered, 'Other friends have flown before-- On the morrow _he_ will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'" [Illustration] "Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking Fancy unto fancy." [Illustration] "But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er _She_ shall press, ah, nevermore!" [Illustration] "'Wretch,' I cried, 'thy God hath lent thee--by these angels he hath sent thee Respite--respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!'" [Illustration] "On this home by Horror haunted." [Illustration] ... "Tell me truly, I implore-- Is there--_is_ there balm in Gilead?--tell me--tell me, I implore!" [Illustration] "Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn, It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore." [Illustration]