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].'

Ah, distinctly I remember [it was [in the bleak December],
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost [upon the floor]].
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought [to borrow
[From my books] surcease (of sorrow)] - sorrow (for the lost Lenore) -
(For the rare and radiant maiden (whom the angels named Lenore)) -
Nameless here [for evermore].

And the silken sad uncertain rustling (of each purple curtain)
Thrilled me - filled me [with fantastic terrors (never felt before)];
So that now, [to still the beating (of my heart)], I stood repeating
`'[Tis some visitor entreating entrance [at my chamber door] -
Some late visitor entreating entrance [at my chamber door]; -
This it is, and nothing more],'

Presently my soul grew stronger; [hesitating then no longer],
`[Sir],' said I, `[or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is {I was napping}, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping [at my chamber door],
[That I scarce was sure [I heard you]]] - here I opened wide the door; -
Darkness there, and nothing more.

[Deep [into that darkness] peering], long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams (no mortal ever dared to dream before)
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word (there spoken) was the whispered word, `Lenore!'
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!'
Merely this and nothing more.

[Back [into the chamber] turning], [all my soul [within me] burning],
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat 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]!'

Open here I flung the shutter, [when, [with many a flirt and flutter],
[In there] stepped a stately raven (of the saintly days (of yore))]
Not the least obeisance made he; [not a minute] stopped or stayed he;
But, [with mien (of lord or lady)], perched [above my chamber door] -
Perched [upon a bust (of Pallas)] just [above my chamber door] -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

[Then this ebony bird (beguiling my sad fancy [into smiling],
[By the grave and stern decorum (of the countenance (it wore))])],
`[[Though thy crest be shorn and shaven], thou],' I said, `[art sure no craven.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering [from the nightly shore] -
Tell me [what thy lordly name is [on the Night's Plutonian shore]]]!'
Quoth the raven, `[Nevermore].'

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
[Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore];
For we cannot help agreeing [that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed [with seeing bird [above his chamber door] -
Bird or beast [above the sculptured bust (above his chamber door)],
[With such name (as 'Nevermore')]].

But the raven, (sitting lonely [on the placid bust]), spoke only,
That one word, [as if his soul [in that one word] he did outpour].
Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered -
[Till I scarcely [more than] muttered `[Other friends have flown before -
[On the morrow] he will leave me, [as my hopes have flown before]].'
Then the bird said, `[Nevermore].'

[Startled [at the stillness broken [by reply so aptly spoken]]],
`[Doubtless],' said I, `[(what it utters) is its only stock and store,
(Caught [from some unhappy master (whom unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster [till his songs one burden bore] -
[Till the dirges (of his hope) that melancholy burden bore
(Of "Never-nevermore")]))]

But [the raven still beguiling all my sad soul [into smiling]],
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat [in front (of bird and bust and door)];
Then, [upon the velvet sinking], I betook myself to linking
Fancy [unto fancy], thinking [what this ominous bird(of yore) -
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird (of yore)
Meant [in croaking `[Nevermore]']].

This] I sat engaged [in guessing, but [no syllable expressing
[To the fowl (whose fiery eyes now burned [into my bosom's core])]];
This and more I sat divining, [with my head (at ease) reclining
[On the cushion's velvet lining (that] the lamp-light gloated [o'er)]],
But whose velvet violet lining [with the lamp-light gloating o'er],
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, methought, the air grew denser, [perfumed [from an unseen censer
(Swung [by Seraphim (whose foot-falls tinkled [on the tufted floor])])]].
`[Wretch],' I cried, `[thy God hath lent thee - [by these angels] he has sent thee
Respite - respite and nepenthe (from thy memories (of Lenore))!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore]!'
Quoth the raven, `[Nevermore].'

`[Prophet]!' said I, `[thing (of evil)! - prophet still, [if bird or devil]! -
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, [on this desert land enchanted] -
[On this home (by horror haunted)] - tell me truly, I implore -
[Is there - is there balm [in Gilead]]? - tell me - tell me, I implore]!'
Quoth the raven, `[Nevermore].'

`[Prophet]!' said I, `[thing (of evil)! - prophet still, [if bird or devil]!
[By that Heaven (that bends [above us])] - [by that God (we both adore)] -
Tell this soul [with sorrow] laden [if, [within the distant Aidenn],
It shall clasp a sainted maiden (whom the angels named Lenore) -
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden (whom the angels named Lenore)]?'
Quoth the raven, `[Nevermore].'

`[Be that word our sign (of parting), bird or fiend]!' I shrieked upstarting -
`[Get thee back [into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore]!
Leave no black plume [as a token (of that lie (thy soul hath spoken))]!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust (above my door)!
Take thy beak [from out my heart], and take thy form [from off my door]]!'
Quoth the raven, `[Nevermore'].

And the raven, [never flitting], still is sitting, still is sitting
[On the pallid bust (of Pallas)] just [above my chamber door];
And his eyes have all the seeming (of a demon's (that is dreaming)),
And the lamp-light [o'er him] streaming throws his shadow [on the floor];
And my soul [from out that shadow (that lies floating [on the floor])]
Shall be lifted - nevermore!