A Visit from St Nicholas

<p>Introduction by Malcolm J. Pelham, Jr.</p> <p>Read by: Lauren Moran</p> <p>A Visit from St. Nicholas, a poem originally published anonymously on December 23rd 1823, tells the story of a family settling in to sleep on Christmas Eve as the father is disturbed by noises on the lawn outside.</p> <p>In 1837, Clement Clarke Moore claimed authorship of the poem, as it continued to be printed in the newspaper each year around Christmas. </p> <p>Moore, known as a professor, did not want to have his name connected with the unscholarly verse. However, upon insistence of his children, the work was included in Moore’s own book of poems published in 1844. </p> <p>Join us for this special Pelham Place reading of A Visit from St. Nicholas - better known as ’Twas the Night Before Christmas - read by our friend, twelve year old Lauren Moran.</p> <p>'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, Gave a lustre of midday to objects below, When what to my wondering eyes did appear, But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer, With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!" As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When