"Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor."
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"Eagerly I wished the morrow;--vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow--sorrow for the lost Lenore."
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"Sorrow for the lost Lenore."
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"For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-- Nameless here for evermore."
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""T is some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door-- Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door."
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"Here I opened wide the door;-- Darkness there, and nothing more."
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"Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before."
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""Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice; Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore.""
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"Open here I flung the shutter."
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... "A stately Raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he."
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"Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door-- Perched, and sat, and nothing more."
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"Wandering from the Nightly sh.o.r.e."
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"Till I scarcely more than muttered, "Other friends have flown before-- On the morrow _he_ will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.""
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"Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking Fancy unto fancy."
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"But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o"er _She_ shall press, ah, nevermore!"
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""Wretch," I cried, "thy G.o.d hath lent thee--by these angels he hath sent thee Respite--respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!""
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"On this home by Horror haunted."