And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roofThe prancing and pawing of each little hoof.As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snowHis droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!