Page:Poems that every child should know (ed. Burt, 1904).djvu/331

Rh Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door

With such a name as "Nevermore."

But the Raven, sitting lonely on that placid bust, spoke only

That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour;

Nothing further then he uttered, not a feather then he fluttered,

Till I scarcely more than muttered—"Other friends have flown before,

On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."

Then the bird said, "Nevermore."

Startled by the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,

"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,

Caught from some unhappy master, whom unmerciful disaster

Followed fast and followed faster, till his songs one burden bore—

Till the dirges of his hope this melancholy burden bore—

Of 'Never, 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;