the Nightly shore —

Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s

Plutonian shore!”

Quoth the Raven “Nevermore”.

Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear

discourse so plainly,

Though its answer little meaning — little relevancy bore;

For me cannot help agreeing that no living human being

Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his

chamber door —

Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above

his chamber door,

With such name as “Nevermore.”

But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust,

spoke only

That one word, as if his soul in that one word

he did outpour.

Nothing farther 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 at 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 that melancholy burden bore

Of “Never — nevermore”.

But the Raven still beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,

Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front