Instead of the sweet hope he dared adjure, That sad answer, “Nevermore.” But the Raven still beguiling All my sad soul into smiling, Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in Front of bird and bust and door; Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking Fancy unto fancy, thinking What this ominous bird of yore-- What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, Gaunt, and ominous bird of yore Meant in croaking “ Nevermore.” This I sat engaged in guessing, But no syllable expressing To the fowl whose fiery eyes now Burned into my bosom’s core; This and more I sat divining, With my head at ease reclining On the cushion’s velvet lining That the lamplight gloated o’er, But whose velvet violet lining, With the lamplight gloating o’er, _She_ shall press, ah, nevermore! [Illustration: 0026] [Illustration: 0027] Then methought the air grew denser, Perfumed from an unseen censer Swung by angels whose faint footfalls Tinkled on the tufted floor. “Wretch,” I cried, “thy God hath lent thee By these angels he hath sent thee Respite--respite and Nepenthe From thy memories of Lenore! Let me quaff this kind Nepenthe, And forget this lost Lenore!” Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.” [Illustration: 0029] [Illustration: 0031] [Illustration: 9031] “Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!-- Prophet still, if bird or devil!-- Whether Tempter sent, or whether Tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate, yet all undaunted, On this desert land enchanted-- On this home by Horror haunted-- Tell me truly, I implore-- Is there,--is there balm in Gilead?-- Tell me--tell me, I implore!” Quoth the Raven, “ Nevermore.” “Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!-- Prophet still, if bird or devil!-- By that Heaven that bends above us-- By that God we both adore-- Tell this soul with sorrow laden If, within the distant Aidenn, It shall clasp a sainted maiden Whom the angels name Lenore-- [Illustration: 0032] Clasp a rare and radiant maiden Whom the angels name Lenore.” Quoth the Raven, “ Nevermore.” [Illustration: 0033] Leave no black plume as a token Of that lie thy soul hath spoken! Leave my loneliness unbroken!-- Quit the bust above my door! Take thy beak from out my heart, and