'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the forum
Not a creature was stirring, not even a Verbatim.
The Furry post were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Cheatolus will soon would be there;
The users were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of booty dancing in their heads;
And Vien in his 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down 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 tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Cheat.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Deci! now, Kits! now, Charlie! now, Loaf
On, Zonda! on Big Boss! on, Luciana and Challenger!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now post away! post away! post 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 Mythic tags, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twink, I heard on the roof
The tweeking and pawing of each little paw.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Cheatolus came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with tears of banned members
A bundle of mythic tags he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!
Have yourself a very Merry Christmas