The Night Mail and Other Poems

[julesapple]

So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,

[julesapple]

"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -

[julesapple]

Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -

[julesapple]

This it is, and nothing more."

[julesapple]

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,

[julesapple]

"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;

[julesapple]

But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,

[julesapple]

And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,

[julesapple]

That I scarce was sure I heard you"- here I opened wide the door; -

[julesapple]

Darkness there, and nothing more.

[julesapple]

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,

[julesapple]

Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;

[julesapple]

But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,

[julesapple]

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore?"

[julesapple]

This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!" -