24 December 2010

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 the 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 the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Mango, now Dexter! now Aggie and Archie
On, Ozzie On, Square Dog! on Jake and Just Harry
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

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!"

7 comments:

Molly the Airedale said...

You look adorable in your kerchief, mamma Gussie!
Have a blessed holiday!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Bocci said...

Ha! Wonderful Gus! A Merry Christmas to ya!

Your buddy,
Bocci and his PU.

Gus said...

Hey! That is Miss Lacie Bobeastie in the Kerchief, not me!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

I shrieked and skhreamed when I saw HER here!

She's evFURRYwhere!!!

Khan woo believe this khomment Misty The Alpha Poodle's human left on Stumpy's blog about JRTs?:

That last video reminded me of why I want JRT's in my life only on videos. I love them but they need serious doses of valium.


I HEAR WOO LAUGHING GUSSIE!!!

Happy H-O-W-L-idays!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Jake of Florida said...

It may be gone before you arrive, but it is real true SNOW!

Wirey woofs,

Jake and Just Harry (returning from reindeer duty!)

Peppy Sheppys said...

You saw a fat guy stealing cookies? Are you SURE It wasn't Otis?

Sheps w/Pep & Edgrr.

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Cough....cough...now Gussie...that um pic of me in my scarf is less than my usual runway look...did someone actually think that was you???

Lacie begins to cough...(for some reason, Mumsie's rollin' on the floor....)

I have several other, shall we say, more attractive photos...let me know if you need them....

And can't you see Mango as the lead reindeer in the sleigh??

Kisses,

Mama Lacie