"Now I'll try
The Raven."
In a deep, sepulchral tone, Fletcher read the first verse, which is
quoted below:--
"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
''Tis some visitor,' I muttered, 'tapping at my chamber door--
Only this and nothing more.'"
Was it fancy, or did Fletcher really hear a slow, measured tapping
near him--upon one of the trees, as it seemed? He started, and
looked nervously; but the noise stopped, and he decided that he had
been deceived, since no one was visible.
The boys within the tree made no other demonstration till Fletcher
had read the following verse:--
"Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping, something 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.'"
Here an indescribable, unearthly noise was heard from the interior of
the tree, like the wailing of some discontented ghost.
"Good heavens! what's that?" ejaculated Fletcher, turning pale, and
looking nervously around him.
Pages:
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162