Page:Edgar Allan Poe - how to know him.djvu/242

 222 EDGAR ALLAN POE ���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 visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door Some late visitor 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. �Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wonder- ing, fearing, �Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before; �But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token, �And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!" �This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word "Lenore!" �Merely this and nothing more. �Back into the chamber turning, all my soul withia me burning, Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before. "Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window �lattice; �Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore �Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; �'Tis the wind and nothing more!" �Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and �flutter �In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore. Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or �stayed he; But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber �door �Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door- Perched, and sat, and nothing more. ��� �